Andorra's Ciutadans Compromesos Split 50-50 on EU Association Agreement

Ciutadans Compromesos (CC) is evenly split over Andorra's Association Agreement with the European Union, with its members divided roughly 50-50, according to party president Jordi Verdaguer.

Speaking to Diari d'Andorra following a party congress in La Massana, Verdaguer said the formation had granted its members freedom to vote on the text, leading to the sharp polarisation. He attributed much of the divide to a lack of clear information on the agreement's potential downsides. "A lot of people don't have enough information, and we need to explain the consequences properly so they can form an informed opinion," he said.

Verdaguer declined to state his personal stance outright but noted it would be "strongly influenced" by his children's views, as they stand to face the agreement's immediate future impacts. He acknowledged clear benefits for sectors like banking and finance but warned of harm to others from greater exposure to the European market.

Drawing on his professional background in pharmacy, he highlighted how the deal would restrict outlets to EU-approved products, ending access to regulated medicines from other markets that had previously boosted sector margins. To address such effects, Verdaguer called for indirect adaptation measures rather than direct aid, such as a five- or six-year freeze on new pharmacy licences to allow time for adjustment. The priority, he stressed, is openly recognising these realities.

Ahead of a potential referendum—preferred over a direct vote in the Consell General, as decided under former head of government Toni Martí—Verdaguer urged better public communication. He cautioned that some parties might exploit the vote to steer supporters yes or no based on political interests, turning it into a broader test of the government rather than a pure verdict on the text.

Verdaguer identified an even more pressing issue: reforming the CASS pension system, which he said must happen this legislative term to safeguard younger workers entering the labour market. Unlike his own generation, with secured retirements, newer cohorts face growing risks from delays, he warned. He urged a broad cross-party consensus, given that social security affects everyone as current, past or future wage earners, and criticised parties like Concòrdia with young voter bases for greater responsibility. Without agreement, he added, any reform risks being dismantled by a future government change.