Andorra's Espot: Abortion Legalization Tough Due to Catholic Co-Princes

Andorra's head of government, Xavier Espot, has reiterated the challenges of legalising abortion in the country while preserving its co-principality structure. Speaking on Catalunya Ràdio's *Ja m'entens* programme, he described abortion as a "delicate" issue tied to a core tenet of the Catholic Church, distinguishing it from equal marriage legislation, which received a co-prince's countersignature.

Espot stressed that simply legalising the procedure would not suffice, warning that abortions are "very difficult" to perform in Andorra under the current institutional framework. He praised the system as a "valuable asset" that has served the country for centuries. Instead, the government is pursuing a "balanced approach" focused on public support for women seeking to terminate pregnancies abroad under optimal health and safety conditions.

On LGBTQ+ rights, Espot highlighted Andorra's progress, noting it became the 33rd country to recognise equal marriage. As former justice minister, he oversaw civil unions with equal rights, including adoption, in 2014, followed by full equivalence in 2023. He expressed pride in these steps, viewing them as irreversible advances in a society that has shifted from insularity to "relatively liberal" norms, where people support individual freedoms.

Espot addressed growing international polarisation, with some nations advancing while others regress, particularly in eastern Europe. He noted a concerning conservative shift among some youth on diversity, immigration and women's issues, yet affirmed Andorra's steady gains, crediting activism from groups like the now-dissolved *Som com som* and current ones such as Diversand and Horitzonts.

Reflecting personally, Espot clarified that his 2023 Ràdio Nacional statement on being gay was not a "coming out"—he had disclosed it earlier—and aimed to normalise the reality, showing that sexual orientation does not hinder professional success, including becoming head of government. He was surprised by reactions suggesting it exposed a private matter, insisting it revealed nothing secret. He anticipates a future transgender head of government, underscoring an "unstoppable" momentum.