New Catalan president Quim Torra has nominated his first government and now requires the Madrid authorities to authorize the publication of the new ministers' names in the official Catalan government gazette. Until this happens, the Catalan government will not be able to take possession and article 155, under which Mariano Rajoy's government maintains direct rule over Catalonia, will not be lifted. This is the situation, after the statement issued by the Spanish government a few hours after the composition of the new government was known, demonstrating the zeal with which Madrid intends to analyze the new government's viability, based on the personal circumstances of some of those nominated. Specifically, the two reinstated ministers who are at present in prison, Jordi Turull (nominated as minister of presidency) and Josep Rull (territory and sustainability), and the other two who are in exile in Belgium, Toni Comín (health) and Lluís Puig (culture).
The pressure applied over the last few days to exclude from the new Catalan cabinet those members of the government dismissed by the Spanish government last October under article 155 and who wish to continue in their former roles, has been fruitless. Torra has fulfilled the electoral promise of the Together for Catalonia (JxCat) group, although within this candidature the PDeCAT party opposed the move, and the Republic Left (ERC) did as well. It is obvious that both Torra and president Puigdemont, who was the first to mention this electoral commitment, have prioritized a political strategy that puts the maintenance of the pro-independence positions that cause most irritation in Madrid ahead of the view that it is necessary to lower the decibel level of the confrontation to avoid a collision just as the new government is getting underway.
Beyond the political significance of the reinstatement of the four ministers, and while the specific formula the Spanish government will use to prevent it is still emerging, there are three other important aspects of the new Catalan executive to consider. First, the confirmation of the specific gravity to be held in the new government by Elsa Artadi, on the part of JxCat, and Pere Aragonès, for ERC. If the good relationship that they have had up till now, one of them under Puigdemont and the other under Oriol Junqueras, does not get damaged, this could be the guarantee of the smooth functioning of the Catalan government machine. Secondly, the entry of Ernest Maragall into the executive as minister responsible for foreign affairs, institutional relationships and transparency. Maragall, 75 years old, returns to the Catalan government having previously been a cabinet minister between 2006 and 2010 under the presidency of José Montilla. With his presence in a key role, ERC is also attempting to cover itself in the event of a possible short legislature and to have him in a visible profile in case he has to head a candidature.
Finally, there is the issue of the scarce presence of women, for which there is no possible justification. Not even the fact that the four reinstated ministers are men and only nine ministries thus remained to be covered. The figure of just three female ministers remains very far from parity in the government, which would be seven and seven. And this is a hugely uncomfortable and unnecessary encumbrance.