Catalonia secession in limbo after vote on parliament speakerDecember 28, 2015 - 15:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A secession drive in Spain's northeastern Catalonia is in limbo after a far-left party could not decide whether Artur Mas should lead the regional parliament and set the region bordering France on a path toward independence by 2017, the Associated Press reports. Mas heads the "Together for Yes" alliance that won 62 seats in the 135-seat regional parliament last September. The Popular Unity Candidacy won 10 seats and Mas needs its support to win the leadership spot and form a pro-secession parliament. Members of the CUP voted 1,515-1,515 on the proposal for Mas to head a separatist coalition. CUP party leaders will meet Jan. 2 to try to break the deadlock. New elections must be called for Catalonia if no leadership deal is reached by Jan. 10. Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |