Quim Torra takes oath as the 131st President of Catalonia

No Spanish government representative attended Quim Torra’s inauguration ceremony as Catalan president. Madrid says that the Catalan administration has tried to “impose” which rank of official should attend the event,. According to the Spanish government, the inauguration as planned by the Catalan officials “degrades the institution’s dignity.” Direct rule from Madrid under Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution is still going on.

Following the example of his predecessor, Carles Puigdemont, Torra promised loyalty to the will of the Catalan people as represented by Parliament, thus omitting any reference to the Spanish king or the Constitution.