French newspaper Le Figaro has warned that the opening of the new Catalan Parliament set for the 17th January by Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, "risks being troubled". The paper notes that there are 8 deputies-elect in exile or in prison and that it's unsure whether they will be able to attend, and that there a number of possible strategies given that the winning pro-independence side could end up with a minority of those present. The "political impasse", they say, "seems complete".
Le Figaro notes that Cs came first in the election, but have no chance of forming a government due to a lack of allies, that even if they manage to reach an agreement with the other pro-union parties and En Comú, they wouldn't have a majority. "However, the Spanish prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, said that he was only ready to talk with her", they add with a touch of irony, referring to Cs' leader Inés Arrimadas.
The newspaper says that the inflexibility of Spanish judges has complicated the possible return of acting president, Carles Puigdemont, after this week's decision to keep acting vice-president, Oriol Junqueras, in prison without bail. The solution is still unclear. "Some bring up a boycott of the session. Others reckon the electees in exile or in prison could take part by videoconference. But for that, it would be necessary to change the Parliament's internal rules. Carles Puigdemont's circle is looking at the possibility of a remote investiture. Unless a new regional poll gets everyone to agree," they conclude.