Party clears way for separatist to be Catalan president

Barcelona (AFP) – Catalan politicians cleared the way Sunday for a pro-independence candidate to be elected regional president and end the emergency direct rule imposed by Madrid in last year’s political crisis.

The far-left CUP party said in a statement that it would abstain from an investiture vote in the regional parliament on Monday. The absence of its votes will leave pro-independence candidate Quim Torra with the simple majority needed to be elected regional president.