Catalan separatism in disarray after ruling coalition breaks

BARCELONA, Spain — Catalonia’s separatist movement has suffered its biggest rift since it became the leading political force in northeast Spain for the past decade after the junior member of its ruling coalition abandoned the region’s government. The Together for Catalonia party announced Friday that it was leaving the Barcelona-based government headed regional President Pere Aragonès of senior coalition member Republican Left of Catalonia. “From today, we join the opposition … we don’t want to be in any government that does not advance toward independence.” Aragonès, who came to power last year, said his party will try to rule in the minority and that he does not plan to bring forward regional elections now set for 2025. The Republican Left for Catalonia also plays a key role in Spain’s Parliament to help the nation’s left-wing coalition government led by Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez pass key bills and a budget.