Former Andorran Councillors Mark Constitution Anniversary, Debate Abortion and EU Ties

Former General Councillors gathered on Friday for their annual commemoration of the 33rd anniversary of Andorra's Constitution approval, starting with a visit to FEDA's hydroelectric power plant and electricity museum amid snowy weather.

Jordi Farràs, who served as Síndic from 1992 to 1993 and chaired the constitutional committee, spoke to reporters beforehand in a personal capacity. He highlighted energy as a crucial issue and affirmed that the Constitution has fulfilled its core objectives, with room for improvements but no pressing need for major revisions. Such changes, he said, would demand wide parliamentary consensus and possibly a referendum, which remains difficult to secure.

On abortion decriminalisation, Farràs recalled that the right-to-life provision sparked the most intense debates during drafting and was settled last. He expressed support for decriminalisation in the three standard cases—threat to the mother's life, severe fetal abnormalities, or rape—but voiced serious doubts about approval from the Catholic co-prince given the current pontificate. Political parties, he urged, must outline an alternative state model if pursuing this, as it cannot hinge on one co-prince's approval alone. "Andorra cannot take such risks," he warned, calling for transparency on the radical implications ahead of elections to build necessary consensus. The issue merits attention, he added, but requires courage without evasion.

Farràs advised similar caution on the EU association agreement, describing available information as superficial and calling for rigorous, balanced studies detailing advantages and drawbacks. He drew parallels to Andorra's economic opening around 2008-2010, which drove growth but yielded unexpected consequences that might have altered decisions if fully foreseen. Fundamental changes demand careful navigation to avoid slippery ground.

Workers cleared snow for safe access at the FEDA site. Former director Albert Moles led the tour and explanations, while current director Sílvia Calvó offered a welcome and group photo. Attendees, including Jaume Bartumeu, deferred comments to Farràs before proceeding to a traditional lunch.