Government of Carles Puigdemont

The Puigdemont Government was the regional government of Catalonia led by President Carles Puigdemont between 2016 and 2017. It was formed in January 2016 after the resignation of Puigdemont's predecessor Artur Mas and it ended in October 2017 with the imposition of direct rule following the Catalan declaration of independence.

Puigdemont Government
17th Executive Council of Catalonia
2016–2017
The government in January 2016
Date formed	11 January 2016 (2016-01-11)
Date dissolved	27 October 2017 (2017-10-27)
People and organisations
Head of government	Carles Puigdemont
Deputy head of government	Oriol Junqueras
No. of ministers	13
Member party	Junts pel Sí   CDC[a]   PdeCAT[b]   ERC Independents
Status in legislature	Minority coalition government
Opposition party	Cs
Opposition leader	Inés Arrimadas
History
Election	2015 regional election
Outgoing election	2017 regional election
Legislature term	XI Legislature (2015–2017) [ca]
Budget	2017
Incoming formation	2015–16 Catalan government formation
Outgoing formation	Application of Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution and Direct Rule
Predecessor	Mas II
Successor	Torra

History

Following the 2015 regional election incumbent president Artur Mas failed to receive enough support in Parliament to continue in office and was forced to resign in January 2016.^[1][2] An agreement was reached between pro-Catalan independence parties Junts pel Sí (JxSí) and Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP) to replace Mas with Carles Puigdemont.^[3][4] At the investiture vote held on 10 January 2016 Puigdemont secured 70 votes (JxSí 62; CUP 8) with 63 votes against (Cs 25; PSC 16; CatSíqueesPot 11; PP 11) and two abstentions (CUP 2), exceeding the 68 votes necessary for an absolute majority.^[5][6]

Investiture of Carles Puigdemont (CDC)	Yes		No		Abstentions
10 January 2016 (1st ballot) (68/135 required)	70	• JxSí (62) • CUP (8)	63	• C's (25) • PSC (16) • CatSíqueesPot (11) • PP (11)	2	• CUP (2)
Source: historiaelectoral.com

In June 2017 Puigdemont announced that a referendum on Catalan independence would be held on 1 October 2017.^[7][8] The Catalan Parliament passed legislation on 6 September 2017 authorising the referendum which would be binding and based on a simple majority without a minimum threshold.^[9][10] The following day Constitutional Court of Spain suspended the legislation, blocking the referendum.^[11][12] The Spanish government put into effect Operation Anubis in order to disrupt the organisation of the referendum and arrested Catalan government officials.^[13][14] Despite this the referendum went ahead though it was boycotted by unionists and turnout was only 43%.^[15][16] 92% of those who voted supported independence.^[17][18] Around 900 people were injured as the Spanish police used violence to try to prevent voting in the referendum.^[19][20][21]

The government in July 2017

On 27 October 2017 the Catalan Parliament declared independence in a vote boycotted by opposition MPs.^[22][23] Almost immediately the Senate of Spain invoked article 155 of the constitution, dismissing Puigdemont and the Catalan government and imposing direct rule on Catalonia.^[24][25] The following day Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy dissolved the Catalan Parliament and called for fresh regional elections on 21 December 2017.^[26][27]

Puigdemont's cabinet governed Catalonia from 11 January 2016 to 27 October 2017, a total of 655 days, or 1 year, 9 months and 16 days.^[28] It was composed of members of Democratic Convergence of Catalonia (which was dissolved on 8 July 2016, replaced by the Catalan European Democratic Party on 10 July 2016), Republican Left of Catalonia, and some independents, all part of the JxSí electoral alliance.

Executive Council

The Executive Council consisted of 13 conselleries (ministers) — not including the post of the President — as well as one vice president.^[29][30]

Original members

Portrait		Name	Office	Took office	Left office	Party	Refs
		Carles Puigdemont	President	11 January 2016	27 October 2017	Democratic Convergence of Catalonia[b]	[31][32]
		Oriol Junqueras	Vice President Minister of Economy and Finance	13 January 2016	27 October 2017	Republican Left of Catalonia	[33][34]
		Jordi Baiget	Minister of Enterprise and Knowledge	13 January 2016	3 July 2017	Democratic Convergence of Catalonia[b]	[33][35]
		Dolors Bassa	Minister of Social Welfare, Employment and Family	13 January 2016	27 October 2017	Republican Left of Catalonia	[33][34]
		Meritxell Borràs	Minister of Governance, Public Administration and Housing	13 January 2016	27 October 2017	Democratic Convergence of Catalonia[b]	[33][34]
		Antoni Comín	Minister of Health	13 January 2016	27 October 2017	Independent	[33][34]
		Jordi Jané	Minister of the Interior	13 January 2016	14 July 2017	Democratic Convergence of Catalonia[b]	[33][36]
		Carles Mundó	Minister of Justice	13 January 2016	27 October 2017	Republican Left of Catalonia	[33][34]
		Neus Munté	Minister of Presidency Spokesperson of the Government	13 January 2016	14 July 2017	Democratic Convergence of Catalonia[b]	[33][37]
		Raül Romeva	Minister of Foreign Affairs, Institutional Relations, and Transparency	13 January 2016	27 October 2017	Independent	[33][34]
		Meritxell Ruiz	Minister of Education	13 January 2016	14 July 2017	Democratic Convergence of Catalonia[b]	[33][38]
		Josep Rull	Minister of Planning and Sustainability	13 January 2016	27 October 2017	Democratic Convergence of Catalonia[b]	[33][34]
		Meritxell Serret	Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food	13 January 2016	27 October 2017	Republican Left of Catalonia	[33][34]
		Santi Vila	Minister of Culture	13 January 2016	3 July 2017	Democratic Convergence of Catalonia[b]	[33][39]

Member changes

Portrait		Name	Office	Took office	Left office	Party	Refs
		Santi Vila	Minister of Enterprise and Knowledge	3 July 2017	27 October 2017	Catalan European Democratic Party	[40][41]
		Lluís Puig	Minister of Culture	4 July 2017	27 October 2017	Catalan European Democratic Party	[42][34]
		Jordi Turull	Minister of Presidency Spokesperson of the Government	14 July 2017	27 October 2017	Catalan European Democratic Party	[43][34]
		Joaquim Forn	Minister of the Interior	14 July 2017	27 October 2017	Catalan European Democratic Party	[44][34]
		Clara Ponsatí	Minister of Education	14 July 2017	27 October 2017	Independent	[45][34]
		Josep Rull	Minister of Enterprise and Knowledge (acting)	27 October 2017	27 October 2017	Catalan European Democratic Party	[46][34]

Notes

1. CDC was "refounded" into the Catalan European Democratic Party (PDeCAT), which assumed CDC's political activity, but CDC was not legally dissolved nor its trademark removed from the electoral register and retains full legal personality.
2. Catalan European Democratic Party from July 2016.

References

1. Minder, Raphael (10 January 2016). "Catalonia's New Leader Vows to Continue Secessionist Drive". The New York Times. New York, U.S.A. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
2. "Artur Mas to step down, backs Carles Puigdemont as potential successor". Euronews. New York, U.S.A. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
3. Longbottom, Wil (29 October 2017). "Rajoy vs Puigdemont: A profile of two leaders". Sky News. Lonson, U.K. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
4. Leadbetter, Russell (1 October 2017). "Scourge of Madrid: the guitar-playing president of Catalonia". The Herald. Glasgow, U.K. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
5. Prim, Sara (10 January 2016). "Carles Puigdemont instated as the new Catalan President". Catalan News Agency. Barcelona, Spain. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
6. Noguer, MIquel (11 January 2016). "Carles Puigdemont voted in as new Catalan premier". El País. Madrid, Spain. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
7. Dowsett, Sonya (9 June 2017). "Catalonia calls October referendum on independence from Spain". Reuters. London, U.K. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
8. "Tensions grow in Spain as Catalonia independence referendum confirmed". The Daily Telegraph. London, U.K. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
9. "Catalonia's lawmakers give nod to independence referendum". Deutsche Welle. Bonn, Germany. 6 September 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
10. Mortimer, Caroline (1 October 2017). "Catalan independence referendum: '844 injured in clashes with police', says regional government". The Independent. London, U.K. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
11. "Spain's constitutional court suspends Catalan referendum law: court source". Reuters. London, U.K. 7 September 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
12. Strange, Hannah (7 September 2017). "Spain's constitutional court suspends Catalan referendum law". The Daily Telegraph. London, U.K. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
13. Jones, Sam; Burgen, Stephen (21 September 2017). "Spain crisis: 'stop this radicalism and disobedience,' PM tells Catalan leaders". The Guardian. London, U.K. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
14. Castillo, Raquel; Edwards, Sam (20 September 2017). "Spanish police raid Catalan government to halt banned referendum". Reuters. London, U.K. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
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16. Jones, Sam; Burgen, Stephen (2 October 2017). "Catalan leader calls for mediation with Spain over independence". The Guardian. London, U.K. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
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28. "Real Decreto 943/2017, de 27 de octubre, por el que se dispone, en virtud de las medidas autorizadas con fecha 27 de octubre de 2017 por el Pleno del Senado respecto de la Generalitat de Cataluña en aplicación del artículo 155 de la Constitución, el cese del Vicepresidente de la Generalitat de Cataluña y de los Consejeros integrantes del Consejo de Gobierno de la Generalitat de Cataluña" (PDF). boe.es (in Spanish). 28 October 2017.
29. "DECRET 2/2016, de 13 de gener, de creació, denominació i determinació de l'àmbit de competència dels departaments de l'Administració de la Generalitat de Catalunya" (PDF). dogc.gencat.cat (in Catalan). 14 January 2016.
30. "DECRET 3/2016, de 13 de gener, pel qual es nomenen el vicepresident del Govern, els consellers i conselleres dels departaments de la Generalitat de Catalunya i el secretari del Govern" (PDF). dogc.gencat.cat (in Catalan). 14 January 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 December 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
31. "Real Decreto 13/2016, de 11 de enero, por el que se nombra Presidente de la Generalitat de Cataluña a don Carles Puigdemont i Casamajó" (pdf). Boletín Oficial del Estado (in Spanish) (10). Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado: 1486. 12 January 2016. ISSN 0212-033X.
32. "Real Decreto 942/2017, de 27 de octubre, por el que se dispone, en virtud de las medidas autorizadas con fecha 27 de octubre de 2017 por el Pleno del Senado respecto de la Generalitat de Cataluña en aplicación del artículo 155 de la Constitución, el cese del M.H. Sr. Presidente de la Generalitat de Cataluña, don Carles Puigdemont i Casamajó" (pdf). Boletín Oficial del Estado (in Spanish) (261). Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado: 103562. 28 October 2017. ISSN 0212-033X.
33. "DECRET 3/2016, de 13 de gener, pel qual es nomenen el vicepresident del Govern, els consellers i conselleres dels departaments de la Generalitat de Catalunya i el secretari del Govern" (PDF). Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya (in Catalan) (7037). Generalitat de Catalunya. 14 January 2016. ISSN 1988-298X. Archived from the original (pdf) on 15 December 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
34. "Real Decreto 943/2017, de 27 de octubre, por el que se dispone, en virtud de las medidas autorizadas con fecha 27 de octubre de 2017 por el Pleno del Senado respecto de la Generalitat de Cataluña en aplicación del artículo 155 de la Constitución, el cese del Vicepresidente de la Generalitat de Cataluña y de los Consejeros integrantes del Consejo de Gobierno de la Generalitat de Cataluña" (pdf). Boletín Oficial del Estado (in Spanish) (261). Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado: 103564. 28 October 2017. ISSN 0212-033X.
35. "DECRET 79/2017, de 3 de juliol, de cessament del senyor Jordi Baiget i Cantons com a conseller d'Empresa i Coneixement" (pdf). Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya (in Catalan) (7404). Generalitat de Catalunya. 4 July 2017. ISSN 1988-298X.
36. "DECRET 102/2017, de 14 de juliol, de cessament del senyor Jordi Jané i Guasch com a conseller d'Interior" (pdf). Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya (in Catalan) (7412A). Generalitat de Catalunya. 14 July 2017. ISSN 1988-298X.
37. "DECRET 100/2017, de 14 de juliol, de cessament del senyora Neus Munté i Fernàndez com a consellera de la Presidència" (pdf). Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya (in Catalan) (7412A). Generalitat de Catalunya. 14 July 2017. ISSN 1988-298X.
38. "DECRET 101/2017, de 14 de juliol, de cessament de la senyora Meritxell Ruiz i Isern com a consellera d'Ensenyament" (pdf). Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya (in Catalan) (7412A). Generalitat de Catalunya. 14 July 2017. ISSN 1988-298X.
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40. "DECRET 80/2017, de 3 de juliol, de nomenament del senyor Santiago Vila i Vicente com a conseller d'Empresa i Coneixement" (pdf). Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya (in Catalan) (7404). Generalitat de Catalunya. 4 July 2017. ISSN 1988-298X.
41. "DECRET 164/2017, de 27 d'octubre, de cessament del senyor Santiago Vila i Vicente com a conseller d'Empresa i Coneixement" (pdf). Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya (in Catalan) (7483A). Generalitat de Catalunya. 27 October 2017. ISSN 1988-298X.
42. "DECRET 83/2017, de 4 de juliol, de nomenament del senyor Lluís Puig i Gordi com a conseller de Cultura" (pdf). Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya (in Catalan) (7405). Generalitat de Catalunya. 5 July 2017. ISSN 1988-298X.
43. "DECRET 104/2017, de 14 de juliol, de nomenament del senyor Jordi Turull i Negre com a conseller de la Presidència" (pdf). Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya (in Catalan) (7412A). Generalitat de Catalunya. 14 July 2017. ISSN 1988-298X.
44. "DECRET 106/2017, de 14 de juliol, de nomenament del senyor Joaquim Forn i Chiariello com a conseller d'Interior" (pdf). Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya (in Catalan) (7412A). Generalitat de Catalunya. 14 July 2017. ISSN 1988-298X.
45. "DECRET 105/2017, de 14 de juliol, de nomenament de la senyora Clara Ponsatí i Obiols com a consellera d'Ensenyament" (pdf). Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya (in Catalan) (7412A). Generalitat de Catalunya. 14 July 2017. ISSN 1988-298X.
46. "DECRET 165/2017, de 27 d'octubre, d'encàrrec del despatx ordinari dels assumptes i les funcions pertocants a la persona titular del Departament d'Empresa i Coneixement al conseller de Territori i Sostenibilitat, per vacança del càrrec" (pdf). Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya (in Catalan) (7483A). Generalitat de Catalunya. 27 October 2017. ISSN 1988-298X.