Andorran opposition budget amendments defeated 17-10 in Consell General

Opposition amendments to Andorra's 2027 draft budget were defeated in the Consell General on Thursday by 17 votes to 10, after Concòrdia, the Social Democrats (PS) and Andorra Endavant each pressed separate motions to reject the government's spending plans.

The three groups questioned the budget's priorities and called for public resources to be distributed more closely in line with citizens' needs, though their arguments differed. The governing Democrats and Ciutadans Compromesos used their majority to vote all three down, and the bill now continues its parliamentary passage.

Concòrdia leader Cerni Escalé accused the government of a lack of planning and warned that rent subsidies could push prices higher. He also argued for prioritising higher value-added activities and cutting administrative duplication.

Escalé welcomed higher investment in public housing and a scheme to guarantee mortgages for first-time buyers, but strongly criticised the 30/40 programme, under which the government would cover much of the cost of rents. He described it as a large-scale shift towards welfare dependency and warned that the €5 million allocated would not be enough, that the scheme would push market prices higher and require ever-larger outlays, and that the aid could not be withdrawn until rents fall.

He further questioned the sustainability of public finances, lamenting that nominal debt had not been reduced despite years of strong growth, and asking whether the country could sustain operating costs of €650 million if revenues decline. He said the problems of 2023 remain, and have worsened, with a lack of planning.

PS parliamentary group president Susanna Vela said the budget was expansionary, with €85 million more in spending, but did not reflect the priorities she considers necessary. She criticised a lack of prudence in creating new permanent costs instead of preserving room to manoeuvre for an economic slowdown, and warned that the accounts leave a "poisoned inheritance" for future governments.

On housing, Vela acknowledged the increase in funding but flagged a change of model, with more money going to direct assistance and less to expanding the permanent public housing stock. She asked how much would create lasting public housing, how much would help families and how much would end up with private landlords. She also raised concern at the growing outsourcing of policy through public companies such as Andorra Turisme and Andorra Digital, arguing that parliamentary scrutiny cannot end once funds are transferred, and called for stricter control of these semi-public entities.

Andorra Endavant leader Carine Montaner did not issue a broad critique of the budget, focusing instead on proposals the party announced days earlier. She called for €7.5 million from Andorra Telecom to improve conditions for the police force, saying security is one of the country's attractions; support for families with seriously ill children so they do not have to choose between caring for a child and losing income; and the construction of a sheltered housing complex and other services for older people.

Responding to the criticism, Finance Minister Ramon Lladós defended the budget, saying it prioritises housing, health and essential services, and asserted that public finances remain sound.