Andorra Finalises Abortion Decriminalisation Draft but Awaits Holy See Talks

The Andorran government has finalised a draft bill to decriminalise abortion for women, but it will not advance the proposal to parliament without completing ongoing talks with the Holy See.

Minister for Institutional Relations Ladislau Baró confirmed this on Monday, stating that the text is ready from a technical and conceptual standpoint. He emphasised that the executive's priority remains achieving two goals: removing criminal liability for women who interrupt a pregnancy while preserving Andorra's institutional framework, including the role of the episcopal Co-Prince.

Baró described the government as "very close to finding an adequate balance" through dialogue with the Holy See, though several meetings are still pending. "This dialogue process has not ended," he said, adding that any parliamentary process would follow its completion. He rejected suggestions that the Holy See holds the final say, insisting the decision rests with the government and the General Council. "We will not act unilaterally," the minister assured, framing the approach as a political choice rather than a legal constraint.

No specific timeline has been set for submitting the bill, but Baró placed resolution within the current legislative term. "This must be clarified this legislature, one way or another," he noted. To illustrate the proposal's advanced state, he compared it to artificial intelligence: "A less cautious AI would say you can already proceed with the tramitation of this document."

Should the text not move forward, the government plans to inform the public about progress made and the reasons for pausing. Baró also holds the education and universities portfolio.

The issue remains sensitive in Andorra, one of Europe's few countries where abortion is fully penalised, often requiring women to travel abroad. Public opinion is divided, with debates touching on rights, ethics and the Co-Princes' role.