Andorra Union USdA Slams Late Inclusion in EU Association Pact, Opposes Deal Outright

The Unió Sindical d’Andorra (USdA) has welcomed its late inclusion in the State Pact on Andorra’s association agreement with the European Union but sharply criticised the timing and process, while linking its participation to a referendum and voicing outright opposition to the deal.

In a statement, the union described the expansion of the pact to include social and economic actors as a positive development, but noted it arrived only after the agreement text had been finalised and negotiated. This, USdA argued, prevents any substantive changes and raises doubts about whether Andorra is genuinely debating its European future or simply building post-decision consensus. The inclusion followed a political crisis sparked by the temporary withdrawal of Progressistes-SDP, led by Jaume Bartumeu—who now lacks parliamentary representation—highlighting structural weaknesses in social dialogue and democratic representation.

USdA emphasised that the pact ranks among Andorra’s most pivotal decisions for decades, with direct implications for the labour market, working conditions, economic regulation, and social model. It demanded maximum transparency, effective involvement of social partners, balance between economic interests and social rights, and a plural debate encompassing social and labour perspectives ahead of any referendum. The union conditioned its engagement on holding such a vote to ensure broad public input.

Gabriel Ubach, USdA’s general secretary, stated that the union is “totally against this agreement,” adding that “no one has explained to the unions what real benefits it will bring. Andorra needs a relationship with Europe, but not this agreement. What needs to be guaranteed are real social and labour rights.”

The group also pointed to democratic imbalances: of Andorra’s roughly 90,000 residents, only about 30,000 nationals can vote, with the last general elections seeing 20,057 participants—around a quarter of the population effectively shaping the General Council. While this does not challenge the system’s institutional legitimacy, USdA said it underscores the urgency of bolstering participation in strategic matters like EU ties. Businesses benefit from multiple representatives, whereas private-sector workers depend mainly on the USdA.

USdA further cited a recent report from the Council of Europe’s European Committee of Social Rights, which found Andorra complies with just one of seven criteria on trade union rights, exposing gaps in collective worker protections and social dialogue quality. Despite claims of broad consensus, not all parliamentary parties back the agreement, keeping the debate alive in society.