British newspaper The Financial Times (paywall) has reported that, with their renewed majority in the Parliament, "many in the Catalan independence movements see a fresh mandate to try for a new republic".
The paper describes today's election of pro-independence Roger Torrent as the Parliament's speaker as a "show of strength" by the parties looking for independence from Spain. "Mr Torrent will from today have a significant voice in the crucial question" about whether Carles Puigdemont can be reinstated as president to continue "his confrontational push for independence", they add.
They report that the decision over whether Puigdemont can be president from abroad will "ultimately be interpreted by Mr Torrent" and his colleagues on the new Board, "although any decision in Mr Puigdemont’s favour would be likely to face a legal challenge".
