Andorra Parishes Draft Consul Reform for Binding Input on Laws

Andorra's seven parishes are jointly drafting a legislative proposal to formalize the consuls' meetings, granting them mandatory but non-binding authority to issue opinions on bills and regulations affecting local communities.

The move, outlined by Canillo's lead consul Jordi Alcobé and Escaldes-Engordany's Rosa Gili during a press conference after the latest consuls' meeting in Escaldes-Engordany, aims to replace the current association umbrella with a dedicated legal structure. This would establish regulated deadlines for parish input and create a unified channel for dealings with the government, General Council, or other bodies, avoiding separate outreach to each parish.

Alcobé described the parishes as a "valid and effective interlocutor," citing their recent unified appearance before the General Council's Territory and Urbanism Commission on land law changes, which showed more common ground than differences despite varied political affiliations. Gili pointed to longstanding communication shortfalls, where local knowledge often lacks proper outlets, and drew inspiration from the judicial system's non-binding report mechanism. The consuls insisted the reform would not encroach on existing powers but improve efficiency—for instance, ensuring parishes learn of relevant initiatives in time rather than discovering them late or relying on allied councillors for amendments.

Inspired by the European Charter of Local Self-Government and Council of Europe guidelines, the parishes hope to complete a draft within the next quarter and advance it through parliament before the current term ends. It would likely require more than the existing €12,000 annual contribution per parish, possibly including dedicated staff to monitor issues, though specifics are preliminary.

Alcobé outlined €75 million in combined real investments for 2026 across the parishes—roughly €10 million each—focused on communal services, social initiatives such as childcare and elder care, tourism attractions, economic development, and village improvements. Budgets are set for early-year approval to allow immediate implementation without extensions.

Gili confirmed personnel changes by full consensus: economist Neus Cornella will replace Lluís Ginjaume at the National Housing Institute, offering an economic perspective; and Massana's social councillor Marc Jové, with legal and social experience, will succeed Magda Mata at the Private Tutelar Foundation after her two-year term. The parishes noted their growing financial independence from the government, with zero debt in Escaldes-Engordany and Canillo, and emphasized consensus on any future transfers.