Demòcrata Amendments Fix Andorra 2026 Budget Gaps

Parliamentary amendments from the Demòcrata group have resolved key operational gaps in Andorra's proposed 2026 budget, securing basic funding for agencies like the Andorran Data Protection Agency (APDA) and advancing public pensions, infrastructure, and digital projects.

The APDA, whose draft budget was prepared by former director Resma Punjabi, originally lacked resources even for certified letters or basic tasks. Demòcrata's 23 technical amendments—ten of which target the APDA at the request of current director Jéssica Obiols—add €1,500 for text translations and corrections, €300 for printing promotional materials, and a one-cent tweak to align social security contributions. They reclassify items like bank fees, account maintenance, and administrative charges for better traceability, while creating a dedicated line for per diems and travel expenses. Without it, such costs would have fallen into generic categories, risking administrative issues and transparency concerns. The amendment notes this omission "could imply budgetary management difficulties and generate confusion in tracking per diems and travel-related expenses." Additional changes include €3,000 in projected revenue from selling a non-essential agency vehicle to rationalise assets.

Pension reforms expand the public sector plan—established in 2014—to cover indefinite-contract employees at the Andorran Health Care Service (SAAS), aligning them with staff from entities like the Andorran Social Security Fund (CASS) and University of Andorra (UdA). Previously excluded SAAS workers will now participate fully, with representation on the oversight commission. Other updates allow former civil servants leaving the plan to transfer accumulated funds to other instruments, national or foreign; permit multiple depositary entities and managers for competitive returns; and extend health coverage for dependents of deceased beneficiaries by four months to arrange pensions or alternatives.

Infrastructure gains include €28,215 to launch the penitentiary centre expansion—a multiyear contract to 2035 with rising payments—plus over €400,000 overall for the project, €182,000 for the Wildlife Recovery Centre (Crefa), and repurposing of the Catsa building as a technology innovation hub, dropping its cultural function. A new legal housing chief position in the Ministry of Presidency, Economy, Labour and Housing receives €35,873.32. Demòcrata also allocates €45,000 for public company Andorra Digital, SA, frozen until legally established.

These low-impact adjustments fix mismatches in the draft. The amendment deadline passed Wednesday, though Andorra Endavant sought an extension from the Sindicatura.