Escaldes-Engordany's Rosa Gili Defends Late Capacity Reports Amid Government Clash

Rosa Gili, Escaldes-Engordany's cònsol major, defended the parish council's handling of technical reports linked to maximum carrying capacity studies during a council session on Wednesday, while accusing the Government of poor communication and shifting focus from broader national issues.

Gili explained that the reports, related to sewerage networks, were completed within the deadline but not sent last Friday due to an oversight by another official. She clarified they were forwarded on Monday to the director of the Territory and Urban Planning ministry, despite Minister Raül Ferré later claiming they had not arrived. "Next time we'll send them to everyone," she said, adding that she had messaged Ferré with a screenshot of the transmission.

The cònsol criticised the executive for public criticism via press statements rather than direct contact. "If something gets stuck, it costs little to pick up the phone," she remarked, calling the episode a "lamentable loop" that embarrassed politicians and portrayed unnecessary division. Gili denied misleading anyone, insisting: "I may have many flaws, but I'm not a liar."

She questioned the purpose of the carrying capacity studies, begun four years ago, despite repeated requests for clarity. "The Government hasn't said what the objective is," Gili stated, emphasising the need to first address whether Andorra wants to grow. She noted many analysed areas—energy via FEDA, wastewater treatment, landfills, education, health, and mobility—fall under Government competence, not parishes. Gili highlighted structural problems like saturated mobility and emerging healthcare strains, urging the executive to prioritise these over parish-level matters.

Deputy cònsol Quim Dolsa echoed concerns, suggesting the Government delays completion to avoid negative findings ahead of elections and that new housing won't resolve the crisis.

Government spokesperson Guillem Casal countered that objectives are outlined in the 2022 Law for the Promotion of Sustainable Urban and Tourism Development. He denied any link to recent poll results and confirmed repeated requests for Escaldes-Engordany's reports, including at an April meeting in Encamp, while other parishes delivered early.

Opposition councillors Gabriel Guerrero and Anna Garcia dismissed Gili's response as an electoral rally, insisting the reports should have met deadlines. "A phone call isn't an excuse," Guerrero said.

The reports, now received, will enable the Government's binding assessment of parish infrastructure capacity for projected 10-year demographic growth, as required by the 2022 sustainability law. Escaldes-Engordany remains the last parish to submit.