The Spanish Supreme Court's decision this Monday to remove Catalan president Quim Torra from office has received worldwide media coverage, with some immediate political reactions. With a touch of disappointment, some leading international media have backed away from the image of Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, as someone who has the capacity to resolve the conflict on Catalonia's future through dialogue, and many of them are talking about a "new escalation" in the political tension.
Some also ask whether today's ruling could open a broader political crisis in the Spanish state - one which could conceivably bring down the Spanish government.
The New York Times
"[Spanish] politicians have failed for years to resolve the secessionist deadlock, and it has increasingly been left to judges to handle." Today's decision "threatens to reignite unrest".
Belgium public broadcaster RTBF
"Might the removal of the Catalan regional president provoke a political crisis at the level of the whole Spanish state?".
Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine
"The decision against Torra threatens to create a new escalation in the Catalan conflict," says this leading German daily
French daily Le Monde
"This court decision has the risk of having important political repercussions in Spain"
US business platform Bloomberg
"The barring of Torra adds a further dose of instability to a country immersed in its worst economic crisis in living memory". "The decision has deep ramifications for the whole of Spain."
Swiss radio and television RTS
"Observers fear that the sacking will lead to a new and dangerous escalation of the conflict in Catalonia"
UK public broadcaster BBC
"The case stems from Mr Torra's refusal to take down a pro-independence symbol from a government building ahead of last year's general election. He was found guilty of disobeying a court order to remove the banner, and will now be forced to stand down."
Leading Bavarian daily 'Süddeutsche'
"Analysts fear a worsening of the conflict in Catalonia"
US political journal Politico
"The court upheld the ruling that Torra was guilty of disobedience for taking three days to remove banners and yellow ribbons draped on public buildings."
Russian network RT
"The decision of the Spanish Supreme Court will almost certainly create a new constitutional crisis in Catalonia"