Broad Support in Andorra Parliament for Foreign Vehicle Vignette Fee, Pending Studies

### Broad parliamentary support for foreign vehicle vignette, pending government studies The General Council continues to show broad support for introducing a vignette fee on foreign vehicles under the new tourism law, subject to viability studies. All major parties voiced approval during recent debates, with varying conditions attached.

The Social Democratic Party (PS) and Andorra Endavant offered unconditional backing. PS leader Pere Baró referenced his party's 2022 proposal to charge non-overnighting vehicles and tourist buses, calling it a strong measure. Andorra Endavant's Carine Montaner highlighted it as a 2023 election pledge, emphasising that the fee should not apply to residents or cross-border workers.

Majority parties Demòcrates and Citizens Compromised (DA) supported the idea in principle but tied it to government assessments planned for next year. Demòcrates economy commission president Meritxell López called for evaluating impacts on cross-border workers, newly resident vehicles without rematriculation, fee amounts, proportionality to stay duration, and commercial consequences. She noted day-trippers drive substantial retail activity despite lower spending than overnight guests, urging caution to prevent tourism decline or business harm. Víctor Pintos echoed the need to weigh benefits against risks.

### Concòrdia reserves amendment on Andorra Turisme contract transparency Debate persists over public access to Andorra Turisme contracts in the new tourism law, set for a 30 April vote. Concòrdia leader Cerni Escalé criticised the confidentiality of contracts exceeding €20,000 at the public entity, insisting government spending details must be public. He accused authorities of hiding expenditures and confirmed his group will pursue a floor amendment for plenary discussion.

PS's Pere Baró positioned transparency as a core democratic element, stating public funds demand accountability to citizens. His group has yet to finalise its stance, with internal talks scheduled for next week and no amendment reservation planned at present.

### Majority blocks PS push for AREB and AFA transparency, but amendments head to plenary Majority parties Demòcrates and DA rejected PS proposals to exempt General Council members from secrecy obligations on Andorran Resolution and Banking Recovery Agency (AREB) and Andorran Financial Authority (AFA) documents during commission debates on banking recovery and investment firm law amendments. Concòrdia and Andorra Endavant backed the changes, but the majority's numbers prevailed.

The amendments sought to specify that secrecy "does not apply to general councillors in exercising parliamentary duties," amid the Court of Accounts' repeated requests to audit intervened BPA accounts, denied by AREB. PS councillor Pere Baró argued the measures are vital for oversight under Article 50 of the Constitution, warning restricted access sidelines key areas from scrutiny and erodes institutional transparency. He has since tabled two formal amendment reservations—one for AREB data and another for AFA under the National Institute of Finance law—reaffirming access to information as essential for democratic control and separation of powers.

The issue returns to plenary on 30 April, where majority positions appear firm.

### General Council regulation reforms advance toward approval A working group on General Council rules held its final in-person meeting, settling reforms including renaming inquiry commissions as investigation commissions and aligning penal code changes to punish non-appearance, false testimony, or document withholding. Councillors have until early May to review, with mid-May registration before approval ahead of the government's 29-30 June policy debate.