Andorra Citizens Rally for EU Association Referendum Before Signing

A citizens' demonstration is scheduled for Monday, 19 October, at 7pm in front of the General Council in Andorra la Vella. Organised anonymously via a Change.org petition under the slogan "Enough of decisions made for us: we want to vote on the association agreement," the event aims to protest the EU association accord's signing that day in Brussels and demand a public referendum beforehand.

The anonymous initiator, who describes herself as a concerned individual acting personally, highlights the signing's political weight despite not being final ratification. She argues it could pressure voters in the government's planned consultative referendum, urging an immediate vote date, plural and accessible information on the deal, and a firm commitment to respect results without preconditions.

Questions have arisen over whether permits for the public gathering have been requested, as Andorran rules require clear identification of the organiser—something the petitioner wishes to avoid. Despite this, the Andorra Trade Union (USdA) and opposition party Concòrdia have publicly endorsed the mobilisation.

USdA stresses that major decisions demand transparency, rigorous details on opportunities, risks, uncertainties, and impacts to workers, housing, services, and the national model. It warns the pre-referendum signing could reduce the vote to a mere formality and calls for a clear timeline, real public debate, and sufficient analysis time. The union invites peaceful participation.

Concòrdia echoes the petition's claims, labelling the signing by Andorra and the EU's 27 members a democratic shortfall. It insists public will must come first, demands neutral information on benefits, risks, and alternatives, and criticises government spending of hundreds of thousands of euros on what it calls propaganda. While supporting EU ties tailored to Andorra's wellbeing, the party opposes the current text over threats to services, housing costs, population pressures, and sovereignty.

Both groups press the government to ensure a free vote with balanced data and full respect for the outcome.