Andorra Acelera Projeto de Lei de 40 Milhões de Euros para Expansão Habitacional e Melhorias Hospitalares

O governo andorrano acelerou um projeto de lei no Consell General para alocar 40,15 milhões de euros do excedente orçamental de 2025, no valor de 88 milhões de euros, à expansão de habitação pública e melhorias hospitalares. A Sindicatura admitiu a medida na segunda-feira sob regras de urgência extrema, marcando uma votação para quinta-feira sem emendas. Isto requer alterações à lei de sustentabilidade das finanças públicas — a «regra de ouro» — para permitir o uso do excedente em «investimentos estratégicos de utilidade pública ou social», para além da redução da dívida, reservas ou participações em entidades públicas.

Of the total, €35 million targets housing, prioritizing a public tender for multi-family buildings or, secondarily, hotels needing minimal reforms for affordable rentals aimed at those at risk of residential exclusion due to personal, social, or psychosocial factors. Breakdowns include €21.6 million for acquisitions, €6.4 million for land to build social housing blocks, €6 million for construction or renovations, and €1 million for studies and projects. Funds remain flexible for reallocation based on needs. Ministers expect this to add 150-200 units to the existing 470 public rentals—currently under construction—reaching around 650 total. The tender could launch within two weeks of approval, favoring completed properties amid prior owner interest. The bill also amends the pension reserve fund law for direct sales to public entities, potentially including the former Santa Coloma clinic, and adjusts administrative codes for communal property deals. Housing Minister Conxita Marsol described it as the executive's top priority, citing €108 million invested over three years and seeking commune collaboration.

Healthcare receives €5.15 million, including €4.4 million for Servei Andorrà d’Atenció Sanitària (SAAS). Highlights are a €2 million surgical robot for high-precision procedures in surgery, urology, gynecology, colorectal surgery, and gynecological oncology—reducing foreign transfers, boosting efficiency, and drawing specialists—and a high-end MRI machine at €1.6-2.4 million total, covering equipment, €600,000-€800,000 in adaptations, and space upgrades. Another €750,000 upgrades the Nostra Senyora de Meritxell Hospital heliport to international standards, fixing wear, leaks, and prior shortcomings. Health Minister Helena Mas noted €27 million invested in health since the legislature began, emphasizing modernization for diagnostic capacity and service excellence.

At Monday's press conference, Finance Minister Ramon Lladós, Marsol, and Mas presented the plan. Lladós credited fiscal discipline and economic performance, with €48 million still reducing debt at a moderated pace while lifting 2026 investments to €178 million—a 50% increase from 2025. The urgency reflects unpostponable demands in housing and health.