Andorra PM Admits Referendum Mistake on EU Deal

Andorra's head of government, Xavier Espot, acknowledged during a Christmas meeting with journalists on Tuesday that announcing a referendum on the EU association agreement was a mistake, as it excessively politicised the debate and radicalised positions around the project. He assumed collective responsibility, contrasting Andorra's approach with San Marino's more technical and consensus-driven process, which avoided heavy doses of "politique politicienne."

Despite the self-criticism, Espot reaffirmed the executive's commitment to holding the referendum this legislative term if timelines permit, though he stressed uncertainty over whether it could occur before 2027. The pledge, inherited from former leader Toni Martí and ratified in 2019 and 2023, ends with the current government, leaving future decisions to its successor. He left open all plausible scenarios, including the possibility of upcoming general elections acting as a de facto plebiscite on the issue.

Negotiations on the agreement's legal nature—shared with San Marino—are advancing but will not conclude under Denmark's EU presidency. A decision is now expected under Cyprus's tenure starting 1 January 2026, with Council approval likely in the first quarter, possibly as early as January or February. Espot anticipates unanimous approval on both content and mixed status, limited to two minor elements: fiscal good governance and portfolio investments, amounting to "perhaps 0.0001% of the content."

To allow provisional application of the bulk of the text, Andorran officials are working with the European Commission to separate these provisions. "We are collaborating with the Commission to extract these two parts and keep the rest of the agreement alive, at least until they are ratified by member states' parliaments," Espot said. The non-mixed elements could then deploy their full potential independently, though internal legal changes would require a positive referendum vote.

The referendum, if feasible this term, would feature two questions: approval of the full agreement and consent for provisional implementation of non-mixed parts. Environment Minister Guillem Casal said the government would follow this roadmap even if it extends beyond the current legislature, aiming for a vote this term if schedules align. Espot reiterated: "We will hold the referendum? Yes. Will we make it in time?"