Andorra's Sometent Corps to Greet Macron as Co-Prince
Traditional self-defense corps revived for French President's visit to Andorra, with 14 members from parishes attending the ceremony at Casa de la.
Key Points
- 14 sometent members, two per parish, to welcome Macron on 28 April at 11am.
- Sometent, now ceremonial, last mobilized in 1986 for Mitterrand and 2024 for co-prince oath.
- Visit rescheduled from October 2024 after PM Lecornu crisis; Macron reappointed him.
- Macron arrives 27 April; agenda features Consell General session and public speech.
Representatives from Andorra's traditional *sometent* corps will greet French President Emmanuel Macron during his official visit as co-prince. At the request of Síndic General Carles Ensenyat, each parish has selected two members, for a total of 14, to attend the ceremony at Casa de la Vall on Tuesday, 28 April, at 11am.
Under article 61.2c of the Qualified Law on Civil Protection, parish councils hold the authority to summon and mobilise the *sometent*. Originally an ancient self-defence force, the corps now serves a largely ceremonial role.
Macron is due to arrive in Andorra on Monday afternoon, 27 April. The following day will feature a solemn session at the Consell General, followed by an address to the public.
The visit revives plans originally set for 16-17 October last year, which were cancelled six days prior amid a political crisis triggered by the resignation of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. Macron reappointed Lecornu, who remains in office.
The *sometent* last mobilised on 26 June last year to welcome Episcopal Co-prince Josep-Lluís Serrano during his oath-taking at Casa de la Vall. Its previous appearance was on 26 September 1986, for a visit by French Co-prince François Mitterrand.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: