It was formed in January 2016 after the resignation of Puigdemont's predecessor Artur Mas and it ended in October 2017 with the imposition of direct rule following the Catalan declaration of independence.

Following the 2015 regional election incumbent president Artur Mas failed to receive enough support in Parliament to continue in office and was forced to resign in January 2016.

[1][2] An agreement was reached between pro-Catalan independence parties Junts pel Sí (JxSí) and Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP) to replace Mas with Carles Puigdemont.

[22][23] Almost immediately the Senate of Spain invoked article 155 of the constitution, dismissing Puigdemont and the Catalan government and imposing direct rule on Catalonia.

[24][25] The following day Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy dissolved the Catalan Parliament and called for fresh regional elections on 21 December 2017.