Andorra la Vella Opposition Slams Ruling Coalition's Inaction on Housing and Projects

David Astrié, a councillor from the opposition Democratic group in Andorra la Vella's communal council, has criticised the ruling coalition's first two years in office as marked by inaction and improvisation.

In his first interview with *Diari d'Andorra* since losing the 17 December 2023 elections, Astrié reviewed key communal issues—housing, public finances, and projects—at the midpoint of the term. He gave the council a failing grade overall, particularly on housing, which the coalition had highlighted during the campaign.

On housing, Astrié pointed to delays in the Reviu programme, promoted as a way to create affordable rental units. More than two years after its launch, no apartments have materialised because no property owners have agreed to the council's terms. The Cedre building's affordable flats required government funding, while bids for the Terra Vella project have repeatedly gone unanswered, leaving its future uncertain. Construction, if approved, would not begin until late in the term.

Despite consistent surpluses and a treasury of €14 million, Astrié said the council has not used its own funds for these initiatives, as his group repeatedly urged. Instead, it is reserving money for the Espai Capital project, still in the bidding phase with no guaranteed outcome.

Astrié accused the council of mishandling public fees by raising them cumulatively without proper impact assessments on local families. His group challenged the increases, leading to a reversal on nursery fees after publication in the *Butlletí Oficial del Principat d'Andorra* (BOPA) and a parental letter with the same rates. He dismissed claims of a simple error, noting that councillors confirmed the hikes during a council meeting despite his warnings.

A similar pattern emerged with Serradells parking passes: a 35% cut last year followed by a 25% rise this year. Astrié called this approach improvisational, urging the council to prioritise housing given its strong finances.

On projects, he faulted the remodelling of Plaça del Poble as rushed and substandard, with leaks, insufficient benches, shade, and greenery. The council awarded the main contract cheaply but approved €700,000 in parallel deals via the executive board, which Astrié described as misleading. He spoke directly with Cònsol Major Sergi González and the owner of the affected Vinyes car park about the leaks, blaming cost-cutting and haste on poor waterproofing. The council has downplayed the issue, but Astrié demanded immediate repairs regardless of cost.

He also highlighted the cancellation of economic events like Xocofest and Andorra la Vella en Flor, which had boosted activity in neighbourhoods. Local traders have publicly complained of feeling abandoned.