Andorra's Concòrdia Dismisses DA Threat in Sant Julià de Lòria Ahead of 2027 Elections

Núria Segués, general councillor for Concòrdia, has dismissed concerns that a potential Demòcrates per Andorra (DA) candidacy in Sant Julià de Lòria—possibly headed by Relations Institucionals, Education and Universities Minister Ladislau Baró—would challenge her party's dominance ahead of the 2027 elections.

In remarks to *Diari d'Andorra*, Segués said the development would not alter Concòrdia's strategy, including its platform, candidate selections or local alliances. The parish continues to serve as a stronghold for Desperta Laurèdia (DL), the local group tied to Concòrdia. Despite tensions over the EU association agreement, she highlighted sustained collaboration. DL's main representative sits on Concòrdia's executive, and two of the party's five general councillors—Maria Àngels Aché and Pol Bartolomé—hail from the parish outfit. The groups pursue shared national and local goals, bound by core principles despite differences.

Those differences surfaced last year when Bartolomé, a political scientist, stepped down as vice-president of the General Council's Foreign Affairs commission following internal pushback on his pro-EU stance. The position featured in his March 2024 book *Andorra and the European Question*, presented alongside Baró and former DA minister Gilbert Saboya—an event underscoring the minister's local popularity, even among some Concòrdia supporters.

Baró's profile as a seasoned figure could bolster DA's hold, which Head of Government Xavier Espot maintains with an absolute majority in his second term after 16 years in office. Segués argued it would not erode Concòrdia's position as parties focus on policies and agreements. She called for renewal, saying prolonged DA rule has slowed progress and alternation is essential for democracy. Voter patterns favour centre-right options in mountain parishes and centre-left in urban centres.

In related political commentary, Susanna Vela, retiring Partit Socialista (PS) figure, predicted Concòrdia would eventually back the EU deal despite resistance, as no viable alternatives exist. Speaking to *Diari d'Andorra*, she defended PS alliances with Concòrdia on issues like economic growth, environmental sustainability and equality, viewing the agreement as key to advancing them. Vela backed continuity under Pere Baró for PS's national list in 2027, while pursuing progressive pacts locally. She dismissed DA as an exhausted project lacking ideology, warning of a potential rightward shift, and opposed mixed pension reforms that introduce private capitalization.

Separately, parliamentary group leader Cerni Escalé of Concòrdia expressed ambivalence on Constitution Day, praising institutions while criticizing unchecked population growth and construction. "Politicians are not doing well," he said, urging fresh agreements. On abortion, he lamented a lost early opportunity, favouring doctor decriminalization for overseas referrals and CASS reimbursements.

Meanwhile, Justice and Interior Minister Ester Molné outlined planned Penal Code changes, including raising the sexual consent age from 14 to 16 (with exceptions for five-year age gaps), criminalizing digital pornography, expanding harassment provisions to unwanted sexual content and image manipulation via AI, and broadening prostitution definitions to cover online interactions for remuneration. These aim to protect vulnerable groups and align with international standards like Moneyval. A major overhaul of the Penal Procedure Code is targeted for parliamentary submission by June, enhancing prosecutor powers on bank controls and expanding plea deals without shifting to prosecutor-led investigations.