Demòcrata Amendments Fix Andorra's 2026 Budget Shortfalls

Parliamentary amendments from the Demòcrata group have addressed critical shortfalls in Andorra's proposed 2026 budget, ensuring operational funding for the Andorran Data Protection Agency (APDA) and supporting pension expansions, prison infrastructure, and digital initiatives.

The APDA's draft budget, prepared by former director Resma Punjabi, left the agency unable to cover essentials like certified letters. At current director Jéssica Obiols' request, Demòcrata's 23 technical amendments include ten targeting the APDA: €1,500 for text translations and corrections, €300 for printing promotional materials, and a one-cent adjustment to balance social security contributions. They reclassify bank fees, account maintenance, and administrative charges for better tracking, while adding a dedicated line for per diems and travel expenses. The amendment warns that without it, such costs would burden generic categories, creating "budgetary management difficulties and confusion in tracking per diems and travel-related expenses." It also projects €3,000 in revenue from selling a non-essential agency vehicle to streamline assets.

Pension changes broaden the 2014 public sector plan to include indefinite-contract employees at the Andorran Health Care Service (SAAS), matching conditions for workers at entities like the Andorran Social Security Fund (CASS) and University of Andorra (UdA). Previously excluded SAAS staff will join fully, with a seat on the oversight commission. Other reforms let former civil servants transfer accumulated funds to national or foreign options upon leaving the plan; allow multiple depositary entities and managers for better returns via competitive tenders; and extend health coverage for dependents of deceased beneficiaries by four months to secure pensions or alternatives.

For infrastructure, amendments fund a 10-year lease (2026-2035) of a nearby building—formerly the Arch Led factory—to expand the Comella penitentiary centre, totalling €402,592.33 with inflation adjustments. The 2026 portion is €28,215, covered by cuts to Justice and Interior ministry studies, rising to €38,221.92 in 2027 and €45,002.90 by 2035. Further allocations cover €182,000 for the Wildlife Recovery Centre (Crefa) and repurpose the Catsa building as a technology innovation hub, ending its cultural role. A new legal housing chief role in the Ministry of Presidency, Economy, Labour and Housing gets €35,873.32, while €45,000 goes to public company Andorra Digital SA—frozen until legally established.

These precise fixes align the draft with real needs. The amendment deadline ended Wednesday, though Andorra Endavant requested an extension from the Sindicatura.