Housing Syndicate Reveals Route for 16 May Protest Against Andorra's Housing Crisis

The Housing Syndicate has detailed the route for its 16 May protest against Andorra's housing crisis, setting a gathering at 7pm at the KM 0 roundabout in Andorra la Vella, with the march beginning at 7:30pm. The path will follow Carrer de la Unió, Avinguda Meritxell, Plaça de la Rotonda, and Carrer Prat de la Creu, concluding at the government roundabout. In a social media announcement under the slogan "Against the law of scheduled expulsion," organisers explained that the action follows months of unproductive meetings and proposals. They highlighted cases of steep rent hikes, tenant intimidation, and evictions, arguing current legislation fails to secure housing rights. "We are not marching to make noise. We are marching because people face abusive increases, threats, and expulsions," the group stated, rejecting endless contract extensions in favour of stronger safeguards.

Key demands include rent price caps, bans on evictions without rehousing options, a public property register, a full housing census, and an end to the "hijo" loophole exploited through family ties. Organisers described these as baseline requirements, insisting street pressure is needed to force legislative change. The protest builds on prior actions, including a 2023 rally that secured contract extensions, a 5 April demonstration, and jeers of "Espot to the cathedral" aimed at Head of Government Xavier Espot during French President Emmanuel Macron's 28 April visit as co-prince.

Police have granted technical approval for the route, Interior Ministry spokesman Guillem Casal confirmed during a Wednesday press briefing. He stressed the decision was purely on safety grounds, receiving live confirmation from the police director that it met all requirements. Casal anticipated a peaceful event, in line with previous demonstrations, while balancing protest rights with public order.

Casal recognised public anxiety over housing but outlined government responses since the 2023 elections. These include support for around 2,000 new residential units, incentives for empty properties, conversions of tourist apartments, and growth of public rentals to nearly 500 affordable units by 2027. A new bill allocates €35-36 million from state surpluses to public housing—proportionally equivalent to €3,500 million in a Catalan budget context. He dismissed political implications of the endpoint near government offices, emphasising citizen concerns, and noted some initiatives are yielding early results while others require time.