Andorra's Espot Rejects Commune Funding Overhaul, Electoral Reforms

Andorra's head of government, Xavier Espot, firmly rejected proposals to overhaul commune funding and electoral reforms during the executive's Christmas breakfast with the press on December 16. He also outlined the latest on the EU association agreement, confirming delays under the incoming Cypriot presidency, efforts to enable provisional application by excluding two minor clauses, and openness to plebiscitary elections if timelines slip beyond 2027.

Espot defended the existing parish funding model, established by consensus under Antoni Martí around a decade ago, as sufficient for the seven communes despite differing demands—like Andorra la Vella's capital costs, larger rural areas, or infrastructure such as secondary roads and water. Reopening it now, he argued, would spark rival claims from parishes including Pas de la Casa and Encamp, amid rising central expenses in social services, education, health, and pensions. Any future adjustments would likely reallocate transfers to relieve executive burdens, not broaden local authority. This followed Andorra la Vella mayor Sergi González's push for extra capital funding. At that day's mayors' meeting in Escaldes-Engordany, others urged restraint: Rosa Gili of Escaldes-Engordany called for study, while Canillo's Jordi Alcobé deemed it sensitive, praising the 32-year-old system's role in handling growing duties like street upkeep.

On elections, Espot addressed Concòrdia’s bill for single-person open lists in parish seats, welcoming discussion but stressing the 30-year constitutional framework's stability. The executive would assess it, supporting tweaks only if proven beneficial, while questioning the timing—18 months before polls—and lack of consultation. Concòrdia leader Cerni Escalé called it the tenth rejection this term. Opponents diverged: PS favored proportional systems to boost turnout without open lists or "caciquisme," while Andorra Endavant backed party-controlled open lists.

Shifting to the EU accord, Espot admitted the early referendum pledge was a misstep that overly politicized debate with "too much politique politicienne," unlike San Marino's technical consensus. He shared responsibility but reaffirmed intent to hold a vote this legislature if feasible, inheriting and upholding 2019-2023 commitments ending in 2027. Without ruling out options, he left room for the next general elections to serve as a plebiscite on Europe.

Negotiations point to a mixed agreement over two clauses—fiscal governance and portfolio investments, a "0.0001%" sliver—likely approved unanimously by the Council in Q1 2026 under Cyprus starting January 1, followed by signing, European Parliament scrutiny, and national ratifications. Parallel Commission talks seek to carve out those clauses for provisional rollout of the rest, requiring Andorran legal changes and citizen approval via dual referendum questions: endorsing the full accord and its non-mixed provisional application. "We won't do it without a prior referendum," Espot said, though he conceded uncertainty: "I don't know if we can hold it this legislature."

The Pacte d'Estat validated the referendum regulation yesterday for Q1 2026 approval, adapting national election rules on suffrage, timing, wording (set by government with Council General consent), campaigns, and funding.

Justice and Interior Minister Ester Molné noted Spain's deferral of the Entry/Exit System to April 2026, matching EU plans to spare winter tourism. No Schengen shifts for non-EU nationals; advanced border management talks—expected closed by January 2026—grant Schengen data access for safer immigration without routine checks, plus origin-country recruitment and provisional permits as stopgaps. Espot insisted EU alignment bolsters security. Bilateral France discussions persist.