Who is new Catalan President Quim Torra?

The region’s latest leader was sworn in on Thursday amid controversy over anti-Spanish comments

Quim Torra, Catalonia
Quim Torra is a staunch Catalan separatist
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Quim Torra has been sworn in as the 131st president of Catalonia amid a gloomy outlook for a diplomatic solution to the devolved parliament’s battles with the Spanish central government.

Torra, an outspoken Catalan nationalist, avoided promising to obey the Spanish Constitution at his brief swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, instead pledging to follow “the will of the Catalan people”. He also avoided any mentions of King Felipe VI of Spain, reports Spanish newspaper El Pais.

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