Salvador Illa Elected President of Catalonia

Salvador Illa has been elected as the new president of Catalonia, marking a significant shift in the region's political landscape after over a decade of separatist leadership. He secured his position with 68 votes, relying on support from the pro-independence ERC and the left-wing Comuns party. Illa's investiture comes amid the dramatic return of separatist leader Carles Puigdemont, who evaded arrest shortly after addressing supporters in Barcelona, thereby complicating the political climate further. Illa has acknowledged the fragility of his government, emphasizing the need for ongoing alliances to govern effectively. He also called for the rapid application of an amnesty law to foster normalization in Catalonia. Overall, Illa's election represents a potential fresh start for the region, albeit with significant challenges ahead due to Puigdemont's reemergence and continued independence tensions.