Separatist lawmaker Jordi Turull failed to win enough support in the regional chamber to become Catalan president, the latest evidence of the tensions running through the pro-independence camp after its attempt to secede from Spain collapsed in October.

He was backed by 64 of the 133 lawmakers who voted, compared with 65 votes against and 4 abstentions, speaker Roger Torrent said Thursday in a televised session in Barcelona. Turull is among six separatist politicians who on Friday will hear details of the criminal charges they may face once the investigation into last year’s events is completed.

They could include alleged rebellion, sedition and the diversion of public funds. Turull, who was a member of ousted Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont’s cabinet, as well as his allies may face preventive jail or disqualification from office depending on the preliminary charges they face.

Josep Maria Fuster, a law professor at University of Barcelona, said a charge of rebellion against someone in government would most likely result in immediate disqualification. “It’s slightly less clear whether the same criteria can be applied to lawmakers,” he said.

Turull will have a second chance to become president on Saturday. Even if he fails, his decision to stand as a candidate triggers a two-month deadline for regional lawmakers to find a president before fresh elections are called. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy canceled a trip to Angola over the weekend. </s> MADRID (AP) — The Latest on Catalonia's bid to secede from Spain(all times local):

The separatist majority in Catalonia's parliament has failed to elect a regional president, starting a two-month countdown that could end with another regional election in the restive corner of Spain.

Candidate Jordi Turull fell short of the absolute majority needed to become the next Catalan president due to a division within the three parties who seek independence for the northeastern region.

An abstention from Thursday's vote by the anti-capitalist CUP party left Turull with 64 votes when he needed 68.

The regional parliament now has two months to pick a president and form a government before a new election is re triggered.

Parliament rules say Turull could have a second chance to be elected on Saturday.

But the former minister in the previous government faces a court date on Friday that could end with his indictment on rebellion charges and preventative jail.

Catalan presidential hopeful Jordi Turull says he wants to foster dialogue with Spain's central authorities if he's elected as the regional president. He didn't specify what the dialogue would entail.

In a speech to fellow lawmakers, the pro-independence ex-minister outlined some of the social, economic and other measures he would implement if elected on Thursday.

There was no mention of "independence" or "republic" in the hour-long speech.

Turull is the third candidate proposed by parties that support Catalan independence. His bid appears because lawmakers of the anti-capitalist CUP party want a president who vows to realize the region's secession.

He is also facing a possible indictment on rebellion and other charges.

He told the Catalan parliament: "I prefer to accept the risk of being a victim of injustice than to back away from what is happening."

Catalonia's parliament is holding a session to elect as the Spanish region's next president a former separatist minister who could be indicted on rebellion charges as early as Friday.

Jordi Turull is among the former Catalan officials facing possible rebellion charges over the regional assembly's failed attempt last year to break away from Spain.

A Supreme Court judge overseeing the investigation plans to issue indictments Friday. That could lead to Turull being imprisoned and, at a later stage, possibly banned from public office.

Turull also appears to lack the support he needs to be elected as Catalonia's next president on Thursday. The radical-left separatist CUP party says its representatives won't vote for Turull, leaving him short of an absolute majority in the regional chamber.

If Turull is not jailed by a judge on Friday, parliament rules would give him a second chance to be elected as the northeastern region's leader on Saturday.

Spain's Supreme Court has rejected an appeal to release two Catalan independence leaders from pre-trial detention while a judge investigates Catalonia's illegal attempt to secede from Spain last year.

The top court ruled that there is still risk for Joaquim Forn, the ousted Catalan Interior Minister, and Jordi Sanchez, the former president of the pro-independence civil rights group ANC, to repeat the offenses that landed them in jail.

Supreme Court Judge Pablo Llarena is set to issue indictments for Forn and other separatist politicians on Friday, in a probe looking into possible rebellion, sedition and embezzlement charges.

Llarena is investigating Sanchez in connection with the turbulent events last fall, and particularly whether the activist should be held accountable for allegedly orchestrating protests that hindered officials trying to stop a banned independence referendum.

Spain's government has rejected a plan by separatists in Catalonia's regional parliament to elect prominent secessionist politician Jordi Turull as Catalan president.

The secretary of state for territorial administration, Roberto Bermudez de Castro, says Thursday's vote in Barcelona is just another ploy in the region's frustrated attempt to gain independence.

He told the Spanish Senate the government will oppose the election of any candidate who faces legal proceedings. Turull is among ex-officials facing possible rebellion charges over the regional parliament's failed attempt last year to break away from Spain.

Turull is the third candidate proposed by pro-independence lawmakers since a December election. The central government is running Catalonia from Madrid.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. </s> Madrid, March 22 (IANS) Jordi Sanchez on Wednesday officially renounced his candidacy to be the next leader of Spain’s Catalan region.

Sanchez, the leader of the separatist Catalan National Assembly and second in command in the Junts per Cat (JperC) electoral lists behind Carles Puigdemont in the December vote, has spent almost five months in jail outside of Madrid awaiting trial on charges of sedition.

Those charges relate to a pro-Catalan independence protest in Barcelona on September 20 last year and if found guilty he faces a prison sentence of 15 years, reports Xinhua.

Former Catalan leader Puigdemont withdrew his candidacy from his self-imposed exile in Belgium in order to avoid charges of sedition and rebellion levelled against him. Sanchez was chosen as his replacement.

Sanchez is reported to have told a judge in a court appearance on Monday in which he again requested bail that he was willing to renounce both his candidacy and his seat in the Catalan parliament in order for this to happen.

Catalan parliament speaker Roger Torrent said after Sanchez renounced his candidacy, that the decision was “the best service” he (Sanchez) could perform and an “act of generosity”.

Torrent announced the start of a third round of talks to try and form a government with former Catalan regional government spokesman Jordi Turull, a member of Puigdemont’s JperC party, who is expected to be named as the new candidate.

Turull is currently out of prison on bail as he too awaits trial on charges related to the Catalan independence process. He too could be banned from holding office in the near future. </s> MADRID (AP) — The Latest on Catalonia's bid to secede from Spain(all times local):

Catalan presidential hopeful Jordi Turull says he wants to foster dialogue with Spain's central authorities if he's elected as the regional president. He didn't specify what the dialogue would entail.

In a speech to fellow lawmakers, the pro-independence ex-minister outlined some of the social, economic and other measures he would implement if elected on Thursday.

There was no mention of "independence" or "republic" in the hour-long speech.

Turull is the third candidate proposed by parties that support Catalan independence. His bid appears because lawmakers of the anti-capitalist CUP party want a president who vows to realize the region's secession.

He is also facing a possible indictment on rebellion and other charges.

He told the Catalan parliament: "I prefer to accept the risk of being a victim of injustice than to back away from what is happening."

Catalonia's parliament is holding a session to elect as the Spanish region's next president a former separatist minister who could be indicted on rebellion charges as early as Friday.

Jordi Turull is among the former Catalan officials facing possible rebellion charges over the regional assembly's failed attempt last year to break away from Spain.

A Supreme Court judge overseeing the investigation plans to issue indictments Friday. That could lead to Turull being imprisoned and, at a later stage, possibly banned from public office.

Turull also appears to lack the support he needs to be elected as Catalonia's next president on Thursday. The radical-left separatist CUP party says its representatives won't vote for Turull, leaving him short of an absolute majority in the regional chamber.

If Turull is not jailed by a judge on Friday, parliament rules would give him a second chance to be elected as the northeastern region's leader on Saturday.

Spain's Supreme Court has rejected an appeal to release two Catalan independence leaders from pre-trial detention while a judge investigates Catalonia's illegal attempt to secede from Spain last year.

The top court ruled that there is still risk for Joaquim Forn, the ousted Catalan Interior Minister, and Jordi Sanchez, the former president of the pro-independence civil rights group ANC, to repeat the offenses that landed them in jail.

Supreme Court Judge Pablo Llarena is set to issue indictments for Forn and other separatist politicians on Friday, in a probe looking into possible rebellion, sedition and embezzlement charges.

Llarena is investigating Sanchez in connection with the turbulent events last fall, and particularly whether the activist should be held accountable for allegedly orchestrating protests that hindered officials trying to stop a banned independence referendum.

Spain's government has rejected a plan by separatists in Catalonia's regional parliament to elect prominent secessionist politician Jordi Turull as Catalan president.

The secretary of state for territorial administration, Roberto Bermudez de Castro, says Thursday's vote in Barcelona is just another ploy in the region's frustrated attempt to gain independence.

He told the Spanish Senate the government will oppose the election of any candidate who faces legal proceedings. Turull is among ex-officials facing possible rebellion charges over the regional parliament's failed attempt last year to break away from Spain.

Turull is the third candidate proposed by pro-independence lawmakers since a December election. The central government is running Catalonia from Madrid.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. </s> "I will propose to the chamber that Jordi Turull be candidate for president," Catalan parliament speaker Roger Torrent told reporters late Wednesday, just hours after Turull was summoned to appear in court on Friday. 



Turull, a former Catalan government spokesman, is under investigation over Catalonia's secession drive but remains free under bail. 



He is the third separatist candidate to be proposed followed failed bids to re-elect Catalonia's ousted president Carles Puigdemont and jailed pro-independence activists Jordi Sanchez, who withdrew earlier on Wednesday. 



"A huge honour. If parliament gives me its vote of confidence, I will work without rest for the progress and protection of the 7.5 million Catalans," Turull said on Twitter after he was officially nominated. 



A Supreme Court judge earlier on Wednesday summoned Turull and other Catalan separatist leaders under probe to appear in court on Friday to tell them exactly what they are charged with. 



According to a court document made public Wednesday, the judge will also decide whether or not to remand Turull and the others in custody. 



Even if Turull is elected Catalan president, if he is then judged and sentenced, he risks being disqualified from holding office and being forced to step down. 



Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's conservative government sacked the Catalan government, called early elections and took direct control of the region in October just hours after the Catalan parliament made a unilateral declaration of independence. 



It has vowed to resist any bid by the region to break away from Spain and called on Catalan separatist parties to appoint a candidate for president who does not face prosecution. 



Separatist parties won regional elections in December, retaining their absolute majority in parliament, but they have still not been able to form a government as their two candidates for the presidency proved problematic. 



As a result, Catalonia remains under direct rule from Madrid since October 27 when lawmakers declared independence. </s> Barcelona: Catalonia's parliament is to hold a debate and vote on Thursday on a new candidate for regional president, Jordi Turull, who risks being disqualified from holding office over his role in the region's separatist drive.

"I will propose to the chamber that Jordi Turull be candidate for president," Catalan parliament speaker Roger Torrent told reporters late on Wednesday, just hours after Turull was summoned to appear in court on Thursday.

Turull, a former Catalan government spokesman, is under investigation over Catalonia's secession drive but remains free under bail.

He was third on ousted Catalan president Carles Puigdemont's "Together for Catalonia" list in December elections which saw separatist parties retain their absolute majority.

A Supreme Court judge has summoned Turull and other Catalan separatist leaders under probe on Thursday to tell them exactly what they are charged with.

According to a court document seen on Wednesday by AFP, the judge will also decide whether or not to remand Turull and the others in custody.

Puigdemont, who was sacked by Madrid after Catalan lawmakers declared independence last October. He left for Belgium, where he now lives in self-exile, and was the separatist party's first candidate to lead the region again.

But he faces arrest if he returns to Spain, and he eventually dropped his bid after Spain's Constitutional Court ruled he could not be appointed remotely.

The separatist party's second choice, Jordi Sanchez, a separatist civic leader in jail over his alleged role in Catalonia's secession drive, has also dropped his bid to lead the region, Torrent said earlier on Wednesday. </s> Catalonia's parliament is to hold a debate and vote Thursday on a new candidate for regional president, Jordi Turull, who risks being disqualified from holding office over his role in the region's separatist drive.

"I will propose to the chamber that Jordi Turull be candidate for president," Catalan parliament speaker Roger Torrent told reporters late Wednesday, just hours after Turull was summoned to appear in court on Friday.

Turull, a former Catalan government spokesman, is under investigation over Catalonia's secession drive but remains free under bail.

He is the third separatist candidate to be proposed followed failed bids to re-elect Catalonia's ousted president Carles Puigdemont and jailed pro-independence activists Jordi Sanchez, who withdrew earlier on Wednesday.

"A huge honour. If parliament gives me its vote of confidence, I will work without rest for the progress and protection of the 7.5 million Catalans," Turull said on Twitter after he was officially nominated.

A Supreme Court judge earlier on Wednesday summoned Turull and other Catalan separatist leaders under probe to appear in court on Friday to tell them exactly what they are charged with.

According to a court document made public Wednesday, the judge will also decide whether or not to remand Turull and the others in custody.

Even if Turull is elected Catalan president, if he is then judged and sentenced, he risks being disqualified from holding office and being forced to step down.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's conservative government sacked the Catalan government, called early elections and took direct control of the region in October just hours after the Catalan parliament made a unilateral declaration of independence.

It has vowed to resist any bid by the region to break away from Spain and called on Catalan separatist parties to appoint a candidate for president who does not face prosecution.

Separatist parties won regional elections in December, retaining their absolute majority in parliament, but they have still not been able to form a government as their two candidates for the presidency proved problematic.

As a result, Catalonia remains under direct rule from Madrid since October 27 when lawmakers declared independence.

Puigdemont, who was sacked by Madrid after the declaration of independence and left for Belgium where he lives in self-exile, was the first candidate to lead the region again.

But Spain's Constitutional Court ruled he could not be appointed remotely, and he will be arrested if he comes back to Spain.

So he proposed Sanchez, the former head of the influential pro-independence ANC civil society group who is in jail pending the probe into the independence drive.

But this too proved problematic as Supreme Court judges refused to release him for a parliamentary session that would officially appoint him president.

Turull's bid to be elected will need the support of the tiny far-left separatist CUP party which has four seats in the 135-seat Catalan parliament but the party has not yet decided what its position will be.

Its leaders will meet at 3:00 pm, just two hours before the debate and vote in the Catalan parliament is to begin to decide if they will back Turull.

Spain's King Felipe VI, who has spoken out forcefully against Catalonia's independence drive, would also have to sign Turull's nomination as president before it could become effective. </s> Barcelona (AFP) - Jordi Sanchez, a separatist civic leader in jail over his alleged role in Catalonia's secession drive, has dropped his bid to lead the region, the Catalan parliamentary speaker said Wednesday.

"Faced with the repeated violation of his fundamental rights... the lawmaker Jordi Sanchez sent me a letter announcing he was renouncing his candidacy," Roger Torrent said in a televised statement.

This could ease a months-long political blockage in Catalonia, as it means separatist parties will designate a new candidate for the presidency of the region which has been under direct rule from Madrid since October 27 when lawmakers declared independence.

While separatist parties won subsequent regional elections in December, retaining their absolute majority in parliament, they have still not been able to form a government as their two candidates for the presidency proved problematic.

Catalonia's former president Carles Puigdemont, who was sacked by Madrid after the independence declaration and left for Belgium where he lives in self-exile, was their first candidate to lead the region again.

He faces arrest if he comes back to Spain, and eventually dropped his bid after the Constitutional Court ruled he could not be appointed remotely.

Puigdemont instead proposed Sanchez, the former head of the influential pro-independence ANC civil society group.

But this too proved problematic as Supreme Court judges refused to release him for a parliamentary session that would officially appoint him president.

In his statement, Torrent said he would start a new round of talks with parties in Catalonia to find a new candidate.

One name that has been raised is Jordi Turull, the former Catalan government spokesman who is also under investigation over the secession drive but remains free under bail.

Turull was third on the list of Puigdemont's "Together for Catalonia" list in December elections after the former regional president himself and Sanchez.

But this may also be a challenge, as a Supreme Court judge has summoned Turull and other Catalan separatist leaders under probe on Friday to tell them exactly what they are charged with.

According to a court document seen Wednesday by AFP, the judge will also decide whether or not to remand Turull and the others in custody.

If Turull is placed in custody, it will make his candidacy for the presidency difficult. </s> Four imprisoned Catalan politicians awaiting trial after a failed secessionist bid on Thursday decided to give up a hunger strike protest after nearly three weeks, according to their spokesperson.

Former regional ministers Jordi Turull, Josep Rull and Joaquim Forn, as well as the president of the separatist civil association Catalan National Assembly (ANC) Jordi Sánchez, are currently in pre-trial detention on charges of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds for their role in organizing a referendum on the prosperous northeastern Spanish region's independence from the rest of the country that was deemed unconstitutional by the judiciary.
Jordi Turull i Negre, ex-member of the dismissed regional government, who was imprisoned amid sedition and under investigation due to his connection in a corruption scandal involving CiU, is named candidate by the President of Catalan Parliament in a investiture for Thursday, March 22.