MADRID ENDS DIRECT CATALONIA RULE

Spain gave its green light on Friday to a new separatist executive in Catalonia that does not include jailed or exiled former ministers, paving the way for Madrid to end direct rule over the region.

The central government last month recognised the powers of newly-elected Catalan president Quim Torra, but refused to ratify his choice of councillors because four of them face charges linked to a failed independence drive, calling their nomination "a new provocation".

But earlier this week, Torra nominated a new administration which did not include them. The names were subsequently published in on Friday's edition of the official journal of the Catalan government. With Catalonia currently under direct rule by Madrid after its now-deposed leaders tried to break from Spain in October, publishing an item in the official journal can only be done with the green light of the central government.

Madrid had refused to officially publish the composition of the first executive announced on May 19 by Torra. Now, the new Catalan government will be allowed to assume its duties, and when it does, Madrid's direct rule over the wealthy, northeastern region will automatically be lifted.

Meanwhile, Germany's federal prosecutors said on Friday they have filed a formal request to extradite deposed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont to Spain, where he faces charges of rebellion and corruption.

“The material delivered by the Spanish authorities is not contradictory, but clearly shows that the violence in Catalonia on election day can be attributed to the wanted individual,” said prosecutors in a statement, defending the controversial rebellion charge.

Puigdemont was detained in Germany on a European arrest warrant from Spain for his role in Catalonia's failed independence bid last October.

Meanwhile, German prosecutors have sought deposed Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont’s extradition to Spain