Baku, January 10, AZERTAC
Catalonia`s independence movement got renewed life as secessionist parties in the wealthy region reached an 11th-hour agreement on a new regional president, averting the need to call fresh elections.
Under the accord announced Saturday, Catalan President Artur Mas will step aside for another member of his party, ending a monthslong dispute between the biggest secessionist ticket and a small far-left separatist party that refused to back the incumbent, according to www.wsj.com.
Mr. Mas told a news conference that his successor, Carles Puigdemont, a mayor and head of an association of pro-independence Catalan municipal leaders, is a firm believer in the secessionists` plan to turn the region into an independent nation within 18 months.