Andorra Minister Marsol Escalates Legal Action Against Escaldes-Engordany Over SICAR Data Refusal

Minister for the Presidency, Economy, Work and Housing Conxita Marsol has intensified pressure on Escaldes-Engordany parish council over its refusal to provide rental contract data to the national SICAR system, describing the inaction as a grievance for local residents.

Marsol's comments follow her announcement on Wednesday that the government would initiate legal proceedings within days against the parish—the only one yet to upload contracts despite obligations since SICAR's 2023 rollout and a July 1 deadline for new agreements. She made the remarks during a press conference after the Council of Ministers meeting, expressing disappointment after three years of requests.

The government has engaged a local law firm, which issued a formal demand 10 days ago. Marsol dismissed mayor Rosa Gili's suggestion that the action stemmed from pre-election tensions, stating she was focused solely on uniform enforcement. "We've been requesting this information for three years. It's not just curiosity—it's a necessity for the country's housing policies," she said, highlighting the data's role in market oversight, compliance and tackling schemes like the "child trap" rental evasion.

While noting Gili's willingness to discuss, Marsol called for immediate compliance, as other parishes routinely submit data despite ongoing digitisation of older contracts. The move echoes her frustration voiced last week at the General Council's Political Orientation Debate.

The developments coincide with opposition criticism of related housing resolutions, including proposals from Andorra Endavant councillor Carine Montaner for electronic signatures and automatic aid eligibility. Marsol defended SICAR's function in demand tracking and cited privacy concerns against broader automation, amid objections from Social Democrat Pere Baró and Concòrdia’s Jordi Casadevall over implied fraud allegations.