Catalonia, doomed to new elections in March

USPA NEWS - The anti-capitalist coalition CUP Sunday rejected definitively support the candidacy of Artur Mas to presidential regional Government of Catalonia for another term. The refusal of the CUP doomed Catalonia to new elections next March.

The legal deadline for the election of President of the regional Government of Catalonia, the northeastern Spanish region, or for early elections ends on Sunday January 10. CUP's refusal to support the candidacy of Artur Mas, the candidate of the Nationalist-Republican coalition Together for the Yes (JxS its acronym in Catalan), forcing new elections next March. Because, although the anti-capitalist coalition warned Sunday that would be willing to support another candidate if the Together for the Yes presents an alternative, the Nationalist-Republican coalition said on Twitter that will not change candidate.

The rejection of the nomination of Artur Mas finally prevailed at the meeting of the National Secretariat and the Group of Parliamentary Action of the CUP by 35 votes in favor, 30 against and one abstention, demonstrating the strong division within the anti-capitalist coalition. Finally, if a sitting held this week for the investiture in the regional Parliament of Catalonia, the ten members of the CUP would abstain and Artur Mas would not be elected president.

But CUP does not close the door to an agreement that does not include Artur Mas, who blame social cuts and political corruption in Catalonia. "Whoever still has days moving piece. Is not called anything," she said on Sunday the deputy of the CUP Gabriela Serra. "We hope that now begin moving piece who has not moved," she added. However, from the ranks of Catalan nationalism he was assured that their only candidate is Artur Mas.

"There is no alternative candidate. It is not a question of people, it's what it represents," sources said Democratic Convergence of Catalonia (CDC), one of the built-in Together for the Yes formations. Its coalition partner, the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC its acronym in Catalan), said on Twitter, speaking through its president, Oriol Junqueras, "never surrender. We continue!"

The leader of the opposition in Catalonia, Ines Arrimadas (Citizens) said, after learning of the refusal of the CUP, which must overcome the sovereignty debate that divides Catalonia. "We will leave this all together," she said. And from the socialist ranks, his spokesman, Esther Niubo, considered the "no" of Artur Mas by CUP can test whether "the major issue" in Catalonia's independence or person of Artur Mas.

Indeed, Mas, who holds the temporary Presidency of the regional Government of Catalonia, will convene this week early elections in March, unless Together for the Yes step back and propose another candidate, which seems unlikely in the light of the statements made on Sunday. In any case, the legal term for President or call an election expires next Sunday.