Andorra la Vella Reviews Constitutionality of New Affordable Housing Law

Andorra la Vella parish council is reviewing the constitutionality of the new affordable housing law after the government advanced it without sufficient consultation, Cònsol Menor Olalla Losada has confirmed.

Losada said legal experts are evaluating whether the legislation infringes on parish competencies, following similar concerns raised by Escaldes-Engordany's Cònsol Major Rosa Gili. The council has not ruled out an appeal to the Constitutional Court, pending advice on its viability.

She accused the executive of bypassing normal collaboration, describing the process as the government "going straight ahead" without joint input. Andorra la Vella received an initial draft from Minister Conxita Marsol on 31 July and provided feedback, but no deadline was set for submissions and the final text ignored those contributions.

Losada emphasised that parishes and the government typically work together on shared issues to prevent overlaps. "Working on housing is positive, but it must pool efforts rather than duplicate actions or approaches," she said. She expressed regret that consensus could not be reached beforehand, noting the option to propose amendments during parliamentary debate but preferring prior agreement. "We could have sat down together, added what each side wanted, and approved a law everyone backed," she remarked.

Despite the criticism, Losada reiterated full support for the law's aims, citing the parish's involvement in projects like the Borda Nova building. Housing remains a collective challenge requiring coordinated action across administrations, she added. With other parishes also seeking input, she suggested renewed joint efforts.

In a separate matter, the council is assessing a Superior Court of Justice ruling that cut a disputed 2017 fiscal transfer claim from €7.57 million to €6,492. Legal advisors will determine if an appeal is feasible; otherwise, Andorra la Vella plans to halt proceedings to conserve resources.