Pas de la Casa Sant Antoni Festival Amid Border and Economic Tensions

Pas de la Casa launched its Sant Antoni festival with the traditional escudella communal meal on 14 January 2026, inspiring columnist Helena Anillo to quip about inviting French road maintenance crews amid border access disputes.

In her daily vignette, Anillo portrayed the event as the festive kickoff in the border parish, playfully proposing the gesture toward those handling French highway upkeep. Encamp parish, which administers Pas de la Casa, has pressed France to delay evening closures at the crossing, citing winter mobility strains for the ski area.

Anillo followed up the next day, on 15 January, with a new column questioning coincidences in the economy. She noted the minimum wage rising to €1,525.33 monthly—equivalent for many to their full rent payment—amid government adjustments tied to inflation.

The columns arrive amid varied local developments. Weather disruptions from the Goretti storm led to 20 fines for missing snow equipment. Police pursued and arrested thieves targeting glasses and clothing. An Arcalís station worker suffered severe injuries in an avalanche near the Balma piste, with authorities investigating his presence in the area; initial shock has deepened following confirmation of his death. Urban expansion stalled through 2025 despite a late-year surge, while the government rejected electoral reforms over council fragmentation risks. Other stories include teacher demands for better conditions, a prosecutor's call for 15 years in prison for child abuse, and debates on debt reduction and public TV costs.