Andorra unease after Co‑Prince appoints Spanish magistrate

The episcopal Co‑Prince Josep‑Lluís Serrano’s appointment of Víctor Torre de Silva i López de Letona as a magistrate of Andorra’s Constitutional Court has provoked broad unease across the country’s political spectrum, with critics citing his close ties to Spain’s Partido Popular, limited links to Andorra and the way the designation was handled.

According to political sources, the appointment was published in the Official Bulletin (BOPA) on a Monday and, only hours earlier, Torre de Silva’s personal representative, Eduard Ibáñez, reportedly informed senior government officials that the nomination would soon appear. Several politicians and observers said that contrasted with past practice under Serrano’s predecessor, Archbishop Joan‑Enric Vives, who signalled potential choices in advance and engaged more visibly with domestic institutions.

Torre de Silva, born in Bilbao in 1966, holds a doctorate in administrative law from the Complutense University of Madrid and currently serves as chief legal adviser (lletrat major) to Spain’s Council of State. He was Undersecretary of Defence under minister Federico Trillo during José María Aznar’s government and headed the presidential cabinet of the Spanish Congress of Deputies from 1996 to 2000. He is the grandson of José María López de Letona, industry minister under the Franco regime. He replaces Josep‑Delfí Guàrdia Canela, whose term ended on 24 November, and joins magistrates Joan Manel Abril, Pere Pastor and Jean‑Yves Caullet on the court.

Progressive parties voiced immediate concern that his appointment signals a conservative shift on the Constitutional Court. “We were quite surprised by the person’s profile. He is obviously conservative, a big shift to the right,” said Susanna Vela, acting president of the Social Democrats group. Vela described Torre de Silva as “politicised” by virtue of his offices under the Partido Popular and argued the post would better suit someone with a human‑rights or constitutional‑law background at a time when sensitive issues such as abortion are under debate.

Carine Montané of Andorra Endavant expressed similar alarm, noting Torre de Silva’s proximity to the PP and to figures who gave testimony in Operación Catalunya. “We respect the Co‑Prince’s decision, but we were very surprised. He is very close to the Partido Popular and linked to many figures who testified for Operación Catalunya,” she said.

Cerni Escalé, president of Concòrdia, struck an institutional tone while voicing reservations: he said the designation raised “certain alarm” because Torre de Silva has a lengthy political career in Spain and is unfamiliar with Andorra. Escalé emphasised the Constitutional Court’s role in ensuring that laws fit Andorran reality and warned that recent nominations point to “a tilt toward a very conservative right.” He added that he hoped Torre de Silva would come to understand Andorran values over time and expressed confidence work could continue on issues such as decriminalising voluntary termination of pregnancy.

The Democrats’ parliamentary leader, Jordi Jordana, declined to criticise the choice and reiterated institutional respect for the Co‑Prince’s prerogative: “It is the Co‑Prince’s decision and it is for him to appoint the profile he deems appropriate. By naming him, he considers that Torre de Silva meets the legal requirements for the post.”

Beyond concerns about Torre de Silva’s résumé, commentary in local media and political circles has highlighted unease about the episcopal office’s approach. Sources close to the Palau Episcopal said Serrano has adopted a more closed, unilateral style than his predecessor, with stronger ties into Vatican circles, and that some within the institution and its traditional interlocutors were surprised by the rapid announcement and lack of prior consultation. Analysts and critics warned that the selection — and the manner of its announcement — could be read as part of a broader conservative turn within the Coprincipality’s episcopal representation, a development that has unsettled both political leaders and elements of Serrano’s own environment.

Some voices went further, suggesting Torre de Silva’s ideological and personal networks — which commentators have linked to conservative Catholic currents — may impede progress on contentious domestic issues, including abortion, investigations or clarifications related to Operación Catalunya, and even future international arrangements. Government officials have reiterated that any major changes on matters such as abortion would need to be negotiated with the Vatican to avoid risking the constitutional balance of the Coprincipality.

The Citizens Compromised parliamentary group declined to comment.