Andorra PM Espot Slams Opposition on EU Deal, Defends Rent De-Freezing Bill

Prime Minister Xavier Espot has accused opposition parties of misleading the public on renegotiating Andorra's EU association agreement, while defending the ongoing rent de-freezing bill and reiterating that finding his successor at Demòcrates per Andorra (DA) is not urgent.

Speaking Friday at the Andoflora exhibition in La Massana, Espot addressed a lack of consensus at an EFTA technical group meeting on Tuesday, which has stalled the agreement's progress to the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) and the EU Council. He conceded the impasse "perhaps does not help" build public trust in the deal but stressed its complexity after a decade of negotiations. Espot dismissed Concòrdia's calls for renegotiation as unfeasible and unserious, noting endorsements from French President Emmanuel Macron and Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro during their visits. "Citizens deserve the truth," he said, targeting those who portrayed renegotiation as straightforward.

On housing, Espot upheld the bill—advanced this week by the Consell General's Economy Commission—as a tenant safeguard, with gradual de-freezing of about 20,000 contracts from 2027 to 2030 at 1% to 6% annual hikes plus a fixed 2.5% IPC illustration. Most of the 43 opposition amendments from Concòrdia, Partit Socialdemòcrata (PS), and Andorra Endavant were rejected, though one from the latter curbed non-residents' commercial rental use. He criticised opponents for politicising the issue and failing to meet Housing Syndicate demands, such as protections for 2021-2022 leases vulnerable without renewal mandates. The government committed to regulatory curbs on sharp rises and expanding public housing beyond 500 units this term.

Opposition pushed back. Concòrdia's Cerni Escalé highlighted over 300 rejected housing amendments this legislature amid €514 million in foreign investment versus €23.3 million for public stock. PS's Pere Baró forecast "social chaos" absent three-year extensions, a 2.5% IPC cap, and reference pricing. The May 16 protest saw syndicate crowd estimates near 3,000, against police counts of 1,200.

Midweek talks with DA's Jordi Jordana and Ciutadans Compromesos's Carles Naudi yielded support for the bill's balance, favouring public buys, aid adjustments, and partnerships over indefinite caps.

Pressed on DA leadership post his November exit, Espot praised Education and Institutional Relations Minister Ladislau Baró's experience, solvency, and commitment to the party's centrist line, calling him a strong candidate alongside others emerging from internal consultations. He emphasised no rush, prioritising governance over electoral moves, especially in key areas like Sant Julià de Lòria.

Yet DA militants voice concerns over Baró's technical profile lacking charisma to counter rising figures like Concòrdia's Escalé or Andorra Endavant's Carine Montaner. Some fear it could fracture party unity or fail to consolidate generational renewal amid a centrist shift on Europe, minorities, and migration. Baró, from Sant Julià, is reportedly building alliances there—including with Desperta Laurèdia, Unió Laurediana, local DA committees, and select Claror members—to neutralise Concòrdia influence before stepping up. Sources say he unites DA's factions as a 2011 "tsunami taronja" founder with Toni Martí and Jordi Cinca, though he weighs reformulating the party's formula. Conxita Marsol remains a backup option despite challenges positioning her as centrist consensus.

Tenant groups and APBI landlords remain dissatisfied, with the syndicate prioritising market curbs and APBI's Jordi Marticella rejecting owner blame for policy gaps. IMF advice favours targeted aid over controls. The rent bill faces full Consell debate next week.