Artur Mas refuses to step back from bid to become Catalan president

CATALAN leader Artur Mas is adamant he won’t back down from his attempt to be re-elected as the region’s premier.

The Junts Pel Si leader failed to receive the backing of fellow independence party the CUP in a vote this week.

Mas’s party won the most seats in September’s Catalan elections, but he needs the CUP’s backing to be voted in as president for a third time.

Catalunya has been without a president since September’s result and new elections will be called if the current impasse is not resolved by January 10.

“Given that until January 10 there is life, we will run down the days,” said Mas.

“I am waiting to see what happens this weekend, as we have waited these last two-and-a-half months.”

A second CUP vote is due to take place this weekend.