Bibiana Rossa: Andorra's Trailblazing First Female Cònsol Major of Canillo

Bibiana Rossa, Andorra's first female *cònsol major* of Canillo, has built a career marked by institutional service, equality advocacy, and a measured approach to politics.

Born in Limós, Rossa returned to Andorra at age three with her family, settling at *cal Mangautxa* on Canillo's main street. She completed early schooling locally before attending the Lycée de Prades in France's Conflent region, drawn back by her love for the mountains. Early in her career, she joined the French *batllia* and secured a new judicial secretary role, witnessing Andorra's judicial reforms up close.

Her political rise accelerated in the 1990s. Elected as a *consellera general* in the 1992 constituent legislature, she soon left the seat after Prime Minister Òscar Ribas Reig appointed her to handle health, labour, environment, and immigration—a sweeping portfolio. Rossa joined pioneers like Rosa Mari Mandicó, Nadia Aleix, Olga Adellach, and Maria Reig in elevating women's roles in government. She later led Canillo's *comú*, becoming the Principality's first female *cònsol major* alongside Lydia Magallón in Escaldes-Engordany.

A firm believer in merit over quotas, Rossa champions women's talent through action in social and political spheres. She avoids rancour in politics, viewing disagreement as debate's value while prioritising public service. Stepping back from frontline roles since 2011, she critiques outdated left-right divides and calls for electoral tweaks between current party lists and open slates to boost representation.

Rossa laments Andorra's drifting ties with neighbours, urging a rail link via a Solana tunnel to L'Hospitalet—pairing trains with road and hydrogen infrastructure to ease RN-20 congestion and connect to Europe's TGV. She worries about youth retention, preserving security, dignified jobs, and cultural identity amid globalisation. Linguistic erosion, from Catalan vocabulary to local accents, troubles her deeply.

Now a lawyer managing the family hotel—where she doubles as night porter when needed—Rossa organises a packed life: mountain hikes, swimming, yoga, and Pilates. English remains her unfinished goal. Reflective yet optimistic, her conciliatory style and solution-focused outlook endure.