By Louise Miner
with Reuters
After months of tensions with the central government, a new Catalan cabinet is sworn in.
A new Catalan cabinet was sworn in after months of tensions with the central government, ending Madrid’s seven-month direct rule of the region.
Catalan's new leader Quim Torra and Parliament Speaker Roger Torrent entered to a standing ovation with only one empty seat — that of the ex-Catalan leader Puigdemont who remains detained in Germany and is still wanted in Spain on charges of corruption.
In a cabinet totalling eight men and six women, Elsa Artadi is now the new government spokeswoman.
President Torra immediately pledged to seek independence.
This will be a major challenge for the new Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
