CATALAN SEPARATISTS BACK NEW LEADER, PRESSURE ON MADRID MOUNTS


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The parties’ agreement to back Carles Puigdemont, a fiery separatist, in a vote due on Sunday came after the region’s acting head, Artur Mas, said he would step down in an attempt to break months of political deadlock in Spain’s wealthiest region.

Catalan separatists back new leader, pressure on Madrid mounts