Víctor Torre de Silva Sworn In as Andorra Constitutional Court Magistrate

Víctor Torre de Silva y López de Letona took the oath as a new magistrate of Andorra's Constitutional Court this morning, succeeding Josep Lluís Guàrdia—also referred to in some reports as Josep Delfí Guàrdia Canela or Josep-Delfí Guàrdia—whose term ended on 24 November. Appointed by the Episcopal Co-Prince, Josep-Lluís Serrano i Pentinat, the Bilbao-born public law expert, born in 1966, delivered his address entirely in Catalan.

In his speech, Torre de Silva affirmed his "full and absolute commitment to Andorra, its sovereignty and institutions, subject only to the Constitution and the court's qualified law." He called the appointment a "great honour," expressed gratitude to Serrano and General Syndic Carles Ensenyat for organising the ceremony at the General Council, and paid tribute to his predecessor. The new magistrate sought support from his colleagues on the court, citing the national motto *Virtus unita fortior*, and promised to serve the Constitution, citizens' rights, liberty, justice, democracy and social progress with complete impartiality, guided solely by the law. He added that his actions would aim to "serve and guarantee the protection of fundamental rights."

Ensenyat, who presided over the event, praised Torre de Silva's professional background, including his time as director of the Congress Presidency's office from 1996 to 2000 and undersecretary of defence from 2000 to 2004, positions associated with Spain's Partido Popular and figures such as Federico Trillo. The syndic emphasised that the oath requires "ideological neutrality and jurisdictional independence," with magistrates acting exclusively as a full bench in Andorra's interest, "guided only by the Constitution, laws and general interest," irrespective of their nominating authority. He described this as the system's core principle, reflecting Andorra's commitment to the rule of law, separation of powers and fundamental rights. Once sworn in, Ensenyat noted, magistrates cease representing their appointing body and serve solely the Andorran state.

After the ceremony, Torre de Silva declined media comments to preserve the institutional neutrality of his role, despite expressing irritation at prior "accusations," "slander" or "injuries" from some media outlets, political figures and parliamentary groups critical of his nomination. He reiterated that his work would be directed exclusively by the Constitution and law.