Andorra CC Splits from Demòcrates, Govt Advances Rent De-Freezing

Carles Naudi, leader of the Ciutadans Compromesos (CC) parliamentary group, confirmed the party will contest La Massana's parish elections independently, parting ways with Demòcrates due to repeated clashes with local Acció councillors over the past three votes. Speaking on Diari TV's *Parlem-ne*, Naudi stressed ideological alignment and stable governance over short-term vote counts, noting that a solo run allows policy flexibility while leaving room for post-election pacts if local tensions subside. He ruled out CC as merely Demòcrates' local arm, keeping future scenarios open.

Naudi outlined a potential centre-right liberal platform—pre- or post-general elections—to lead the next government if Demòcrates prevails nationally. He described politics polarising into a radicalising left and a centre-right space with overlapping goals, citing embryonic discussions among parties. Demòcrates' territorial reach positions it to nominate a head-of-government candidate, but only after programme consensus, possibly around a unifying outsider like former politician Ladislau Baró, whom he rated a "ten out of ten" for skills and bridge-building. Relations with Demòcrates and Liberals remain solid, while Acció ties at parish level are strained but not closed off entirely. Naudi embraced CC's unreserved centre-right stance, championing free markets and national heritage, and rejected left-wing national wins by PS or Concòrdia as unlikely. He commended Andorra Endavant's Carine Montaner for economic insight but saw deals as unfeasible over her opposition to the EU association agreement, deemed essential long-term. To lure high-end tourism brands, he suggested a flat 15% IGI on luxury items, ditching 1990s 900-euro travel quotas that curb appeal. On the EU accord referendum, he urged 18 months of public information for reasoned votes.

**Government finalises rent de-freezing details for year-end tabling, starting 1 January 2027 with pre-2012 contracts**

The government plans to submit its rent de-freezing bill before year-end, initiating 1 January 2027 with pre-2012 contracts—the most overdue under forced extensions—followed by staggered phases to 2032. Contracts from 2013-14 extend one year to 2028; 2015-16 two years to 2029; 2017-18 three years to 2030; 2019-20 four years to 2031; and 2021 five years to 2032. During these, rises cap at IPC if contractually agreed.

New or five-year renewals from 2027 face tiered caps: 25% maximum for rents ≤€8/m² (spread at ~5% annually plus IPC); 20% for €8-9/m²; 10% for €9-10/m²; 5% for €10-12/m²; IPC-only above €12/m². Limits apply irrespective of tenant changes to prevent eviction hikes. Zone-based caps were scrapped for simplicity. Exemptions include luxury units >150m² or >€2,500/month, family homes, or major safety/habitability repairs. A rental registry, inspections, and penalties are planned.

At the Christmas media briefing, Head of Government Xavier Espot and Housing Minister Conxita Marsol called the "surgical" approach a balanced compromise, rejecting owners' 30% demands or endless freezes that stifle supply. Espot argued indefinite intervention fails to expand stock or ease prices, while Marsol noted parliamentary refinements like affordable housing registers. The ministry has sent 300 letters to owners of ~1,800 suspected vacant flats, with responses arriving and full review in three-four months; non-marketed units risk housing law enforcement. Espot deferred final rates to debate, favouring steeper rises for lowest rents. Naudi endorsed measured increases from 2027, sharper for long-frozen low rents approaching market levels, milder for higher ones to retain tenants.

Tenant group Coordinadora per l’Habitatge Digne—soon rebranding as Sindicat d’Habitatge d’Andorra for parish organising—threatens escalated 2026 protests beyond 2023 levels if demands go unmet. These include a Swiss-model system with indefinite contracts as default (temporaries for justified cases like floating populations), reference price indexes for abusive rents, impartial mediation, collective bargaining, no evictions without alternatives, closing the "trampa del fill" loophole, and occupancy caps on tourist flats via habitability certificates. The group accuses the government of sidelining National Housing Table input and urges real estate lobbies to drop threat-based resistance, warning of tenant crisis absent prior reforms.

The Unió Sindical d’Andorra (USdA) condemned the plan, highlighting 6% minimum wage caps against 25% rent hikes as fuelling shortages, displacement, talent flight, and divisions. It demands IPC-tied wage updates, robust private-sector union rights, de-freezing suspension pending safeguards, and uniform public-private standards.

Affordable housing demand stays intense: Encamp's 22 ex-Hermus hotel units drew 44 applications. Arinsal's 70 flats prioritise citizens, but unfilled slots may go to essential workers like doctors amid shortages, with later sales possible. Over 200 await on the affordable rental register, penalised after two refusals.

The government has tightened rental aid criteria, now requiring rent >30% of household income, no family-owned homes in Andorra, and updated income limits by household size. Exceptions cover gender violence victims and protected minors without contract title, via court order. Applications from January-March 2026 qualify retroactively; 1,838 aids totalling €4.38 million were approved by late November. Around 10% of recipients may shift to other supports.