James Warren
CATALAN leader Quim Torra could be sacked if his latest appeal against the civil disobedience case against him fails.
Torra is running on borrowed time as leader of the Catalan region as he is currently under investigation for displaying separatist symbols on public buildings during the bitter election process of March 2019.
Authorities found that the refusal to remove the banners and posters breached institutional neutrality ahead of the voting process.
Torra ignored the deadline to remove the banners, before eventually taking them down only to replace them with a banner carrying a similar message.
He defended his actions as ‘freedom of expression’ however the Catalan supreme court found his actions as ‘intentionally inflammatory’.
Torra slammed the case as ‘abhorrent’ for bringing charges against him for ‘exercising his rights with a peaceful banner’.
He has been allowed to remain in power while the investigation is underway, however if the latest appeal against the charges fail, Torra will be required to leave his post for up to 18 months.
Political experts are gravely concerned by the ramifications of the leader’s dismissal over fears it could create an even greater divide in the region.
With tensions still simmering after the failed 2017 independence bid, a power vacuum caused by Torra’s departure could lead to a fresh election if a replacement is not unanimously decided.
The turbulence could also affect the leadership stint of current Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, as his re-election in January was bolstered by support from the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC).
