Jaume Duch Appointed as Catalan Minister for EU and External Action

Jaume Duch, the European Parliament’s head spokesperson and director-general of communication, has been appointed as the new regional minister for the European Union and external action in Catalonia's newly formed government, led by Socialist Party (PSC) leader Salvador Illa. Duch has a long history in European politics, having served as a spokesperson for the European Parliament since 2006 and previously as an adviser to the former President of the European Parliament, José María Gil-Robles. His extensive experience in EU communications positions him well for this new role. Duch officially took office on August 10 at the Generalitat in Barcelona, joining a government composed mainly of technical and moderate politicians. This cabinet aims to foster dialogue between Catalonia and Madrid, incorporating members from the ERC and former members of the now-defunct Convergencia y Unión party, which Duch was part of. This coalition reflects a strategic move towards moderation and collaboration in Catalan politics. In a related political development, Carles Puigdemont, leader of the right-wing separatist party Together for Catalonia (JxCat), had planned to attend the parliamentary session for Illa's inauguration but ultimately chose to avoid the event due to fears of arrest. Puigdemont is currently under a national arrest warrant for embezzlement and illicit enrichment, charges not covered by a recent amnesty law concerning the 2017 independence referendum. Despite the tense political climate, Duch's appointment signals a potential shift towards a more conciliatory approach in Catalonia's governance, as the new administration seeks to navigate complex relationships with both local and national authorities.