Andorra's Espot Urges Centre-Right Alliance Before Naming Election Candidate

Andorra's head of government, Xavier Espot, has called on his party Demòcrates to prioritise building a broad centre-right alliance before naming a lead candidate for the upcoming general elections.

Speaking in Andorra la Vella on Tuesday, Espot urged extending an invitation to other parties, platforms and opinion groups sharing a common ideology and vision for the country's future. He stressed the need to first develop a joint programme, describing people as "accessory" and "secondary" compared to forging consensus on the national project.

"The search for the candidate should come in a second moment," Espot said. He argued that centre-right parties must unite their efforts to continue offering Andorra a "centrist, reformist, moderate and balanced" agenda, especially in the face of proposals "radically opposed" to the centre-reformist stance defended over the past 16 years.

Espot made clear that the decision rests with the party's executive, of which he is no longer a member, and that the next meeting will review these steps. He noted Demòcrates has long sought to broaden its base by incorporating like-minded centre-right formations and individuals.

The party has faced challenges in selecting Espot's successor as its lead candidate. Several names have emerged, with Ladislau Baró initially appearing as a consensus choice to prevent centre-right fragmentation. However, Baró stepped back, and recent polls have not been entirely favourable, prompting a rethink and a shift towards prioritising alliances first.

While Espot avoided naming potential partners, he framed the move as essential to counter radical alternatives. He reiterated that his focus remains on current government responsibilities. No firm timeline for the executive's discussions has been set.