ASSESSMENTS

In Catalonia, the Struggle With Secession

Jan 11, 2016 | 22:30 GMT

Catalonia's New Government Will Struggle With Secession

Former Catalan President Artur Mas (2-R) congratulates newly elected Catalan President Carles Puigdemont (R) at the end of a investiture debate in the Catalan Parliament.

(LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)

Summary

Three and a half months after regional elections concluded, the Catalan Parliament finally appointed a government Jan. 10. The new regional president, Carles Puigdemont, promised that his administration would proceed with a plan to declare independence from Spain within 18 months. But the new government will encounter the same problems that have undermined previous secession campaigns.

Almost four months after elections, Catalonia finally has a regional government in place. The new administration wants to proceed with secession from Spain, but divisions within the Catalan pro-secession movement and Madrid's actions to prevent the region from declaring independence will hobble Barcelona's attempts to break free....

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