Andorra Government Rejects Tripartite Commission to Halt Escaldes Towers

Andorra's government has firmly rejected Escaldes-Engordany mayor Rosa Gili's call for a tripartite commission with the parish council, executive and General Council to stop new tower developments in the Clot d'Emprivat area.

Government spokesperson and minister Guillem Casal made the dismissal clear at a press conference after Thursday's Council of Ministers meeting. He argued that urban planning powers are "clearly defined," with 80% to 90% controlled by parishes through their local plans, and the rest by the central government. Casal said Gili has held the tools to adjust building volumes and layouts in the area for six years but has failed to use them. "She has had six years to push these changes forward and has chosen not to," he stated, accusing her of now seeking authority she had previously given up.

Casal cited examples from La Massana, Canillo and Ordino, where parishes have revised plans to cut heights, volumes and buildability under current laws. "With the same legislation, she could do it too," he added. He insisted institutions should stick to their roles without new overlapping bodies. "Everyone must execute the powers assigned to them."

The government's position follows opposition from most General Council members on Wednesday, leaving Gili isolated. In response, later that day after her parish's final session of the year, Gili hit back at claims pinning responsibility on her administration. She called such assertions "ignorance" or an attempt to mislead, noting that while parishes handle urbanism, the government also approves projects—precisely why she proposed the joint commission.

Gili stressed her team inherited the situation, with rights already granted under a prior mandate when the POUP plan was modified in 2018. "The towers have never pleased us; we found rights already given," she said, pointing to Demòcrates and efforts since taking office to limit impact and halt new builds. She suggested the blame-shifting ahead of elections, where Escaldes will be key, and framed her push as forward-thinking for future generations, citing recent public protests against the towers. "If it's so clear they don't want them, we must act."