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Andorran Group Demands Binding Referendum on EU Association Agreement Before Signing

Agrupament Encampadà insists on public vote to ensure democratic legitimacy, warning the transformative pact requires direct citizen input on sovereignty.

Synthesized from:
Bon DiaAltaveuDiari d'Andorra

Key Points

  • Agrupament Encampadà demands binding referendum on Andorra's EU Association Agreement before signing.
  • Referendum needed for democratic legitimacy on sovereignty-impacting pact.
  • Group warns against signing without direct citizen input via public vote.
  • Statement emphasizes transparency and participatory democracy in EU alignment.

Agrupament Encampadà, a local political group without seats on the Comú d'Encamp council, has called for a binding referendum on Andorra's Association Agreement with the European Union to take place strictly before the government signs the final text and ahead of ratification by the 27 EU member states.

In a statement signed by president Josep Ramon González and sent to media outlets including Diari d'Andorra, Altaveu and Bon Dia, the group outlined its stance on the negotiation and potential adoption of the pact. It described the move as essential to ensure the public decides Andorra's alignment with the EU, warning that such a transformative deal cannot proceed without direct citizen input.

The formation argued that the agreement, which could fundamentally alter the country's economic, social and institutional landscape, requires the utmost democratic legitimacy—one that only a popular vote can provide in a direct and unquestionable manner. "Sovereignty lies with the people," the statement noted, stressing that Andorrans must shape the nation's future with complete information, full democratic safeguards and a politically binding result.

Agrupament Encampadà positioned itself as dedicated to transparency, national sovereignty and participatory democracy. It insisted the referendum would allow citizens to approve or reject the final document, preventing a decision made "behind the backs of the public" through institutional channels alone.

The group urged the executive to embrace this democratic commitment, ensuring any definitive step on the EU pact reflects the sovereign will of Andorrans via prior consultation.

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