Síndic General: Housing crisis and EU association deal are Andorra's main challenges

Carles Ensenyat, síndic general, said the housing crisis and the association agreement with the European Union will be the main challenges for the Consell General for the remainder of the legislature. He urged all parties to keep working together to find solutions and to agree on a sustainable, affordable growth model that sets limits on population, tourism and natural resources.

Ensenyat said work must continue on migration policy and on measures to increase the number of homes available to the population and prevent prices from soaring. He warned that while everyone wants some regulatory flexibility, that flexibility cannot create problems for citizens.

On population growth, Ensenyat argued that Andorra cannot sustain 300,000 inhabitants — probably not 200,000 and possibly not even 150,000 — and that lawmakers must decide when to apply the brakes to avoid sudden collapse. Without a planned policy, he warned, “in 10 or 15 years there will be a moment when everything stops.”

Regarding the association agreement with the EU, Ensenyat said the Union has effectively declared the deal to be mixed, noting that the French co-prince’s letter already signalled that classification. He warned that ratification will be a long process — potentially six, seven or nine years — because the text must be approved by around fifty parliaments across Europe. If any of those parliaments rejects the agreement, the process would be frozen and could require bilateral talks with states that object to specific points.

Ensenyat outlined several provisional options: an immediate referendum, waiting for parliamentary ratification across Europe, or provisional application of parts of the agreement, though he cautioned that provisional application carries risks. He also stressed that losing the co-principality would reduce Andorra’s negotiating capacity, influence and access to advisory support.

On pensions, Ensenyat said reform of the system is possible before the end of the legislature. He described the Principality’s role as an observer of neighbouring countries’ management to avoid repeating their errors, and noted that the retirement branch is not yet in deficit. All parliamentary groups, he said, share a central line in seeking a sustainable system.

On social issues, Ensenyat said society has progressed on abortion and that legislation should evolve accordingly, but he acknowledged the solution will not be easy and placed a red line at any change that would alter the Principality’s institutional model.

Within the Democratic Party, Ensenyat praised Ladislau Baró as an extraordinary and capable new president with strategic and tactical vision. He added there are many qualified people in the party who could be head of government, that the party is not yet in a position to choose a number one, and that Xavier Espot remains the leader; whoever is chosen to replace Espot will be the best option at the time.

Ensenyat confirmed that renovation works at Casa de la Vall are progressing on schedule and that the building will reopen this year in time to host the Consell de Sant Tomàs. The first phase, which required the building’s temporary closure, is concluding now; exterior rehabilitation work will continue in 2026 without affecting visits. These works are part of a transnational UNESCO candidature that also includes Foix Castle and other heritage elements, and the overall project budget of €4 million remains in place.