Former Encamp general councillor and Social Democratic Party member passed away after a long illness,

Maria Pilar Riba Font, a former general councillor for Encamp and Social Democratic Party (PS) member, has died at 81 after years fighting a severe illness. Born on 10 May 1944 in Encamp, from Casa Maset, she passed away on Tuesday as her condition worsened sharply in recent days. Sources close to the family confirmed the news.

Political figures and institutions expressed condolences. The PS offered "sincere condolences to the family, friends and those close to her," wishing her peace. The General Council highlighted her parliamentary service during the 2005-2009 and 2009-2011 legislatures. PS colleague Josep Dallerès, who ran alongside her in elections, called her "a very serious person about her work" and said her death left him deeply shocked.

A wake is scheduled for Friday from 10am to 1pm at Encamp's funeral home, followed by a funeral mass at 3.30pm at Santa Eulàlia church in Encamp, subject to last-minute changes.

Riba spent much of her career in education administration at Lycée Comte de Foix, working with Encamp's "French teachers" group and later partnering with professor Pere Canals, whom she met there. Her father had served as Encamp's major consul, instilling a sense of public service. She entered politics post-retirement, securing election as Encamp's general councillor in 2005 and 2009, both times alongside Dallerès and as vice-president of the Health and Environment legislative commission.

In the 2005-2009 term under head of government Albert Pintat and general syndic Joan Gabriel, she represented Andorra in the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie. During the 2009-2011 legislature, when PS headed the executive without a majority, she joined the Foreign Policy commission and served as a full member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, including as vice-president of its Socialist Group in 2011. She also contributed to commissions on health, social affairs and family, equality between women and men, and a subcommission on violence against women, while substituting on culture, science and education.

Riba ran again in Encamp in 2011 under PS leader Francesc Rodríguez but lost to the Democrats. She largely withdrew from the spotlight until 2017, when she campaigned for Citizen's Defender, a role given to Marc Vila. She stayed active in Encamp's Bartumeu neighbourhood group.

She was mother to Verònica Canals, tourism minister from 2019 to 2021 under head of government Xavier Espot, who resigned for personal reasons including family health issues. Sources noted Canals cared for her mother during her private battle with illness, treated in Andorra.

Tributes praised Riba's grassroots approach, portraying her as approachable, focused on citizens' welfare and committed to public service through direct engagement.