Concòrdia Submits 19 Amendments to Slash Andorra's 2026 Budget Spending

The parliamentary group Concòrdia has submitted 19 amendments to Andorra's 2026 general budget bill, aiming to cut spending in areas like tourism promotion and administrative roles while shifting resources to housing, health, education, innovation, and social programs.

The proposals, now under review in the Consell General's Finance Committee, come amid a tight timeline for approval. The committee has begun analyzing a total of 61 amendments from various groups, but the Sindicatura rejected 15 for failing to meet regulations—including six from Demòcrates per Andorra and six from Ciutadans Compromesos related to the Data Protection Agency's accounts, plus three from the Partit Socialista. Concòrdia's 19 cleared the initial filter, with further discussions set for next week ahead of a potential full session vote on January 22. If timelines hold, the budget could take effect by mid-February.

Key cuts target a €10 million reduction in Andorra Turisme's allocation, which Concòrdia deems out of step with the state's fiscal position. The group, led by Cerni Escalé, proposes redirecting €2 million to develop an innovation and business creation hub, alongside housing support. Further savings would come from high-level posts and special relations staff (nearly €1.5 million total), the State Secretariat for EU Relations (€250,000 in personnel, €127,500 in communications, €600,000 in technical studies), road paving (€800,000), and air transport studies, which it criticizes for limited economic returns.

Reallocations prioritize a segregated public transport project akin to a tram between Sant Julià de Lòria and Escaldes-Engordany, using existing route studies. Social initiatives include €360,000+ to extend paid parental leave for the second parent to 10 weeks via the CASS in 2026, up from the government's six; €5,000 for a Ministry of Social Affairs plan to combat unwanted loneliness among the elderly and vulnerable; and €2,000 for the Accessibility Promotion Commission, per last November's universal accessibility law.

Other measures seek €30,000 for three new Catalan self-learning centers in Andorra la Vella, Ordino, and Sant Julià de Lòria, with staffing from expandable credits; elimination of the National Cybersecurity Agency (€500,000 savings), as its roles can shift to existing departments; removal of a productivity bonus for justice staff without prior parliamentary debate; and a lowered threshold for Audit Office oversight of private grants, from €300,000 to €100,000.

The amendments underscore Concòrdia's focus on efficiency in a budget with record new hires.