2023 Andorran parliamentary election explained

Country:Andorra
Previous Election:2019
Next Election:2027
Seats For Election:All 28 seats in the General Council
Majority Seats:15
Election Date:2 April 2023
Leader1:Xavier Espot Zamora
Party1:DA+CC
Last Election1:13
Seats1:16
Percentage1:32.66
Leader2:Cerni Escalé Cabré
Party2:Concord (political party)
Last Election2:New
Seats2:5
Percentage2:21.43
Leader3:Pere López i Agràs
Party3:PS+SDP
Last Election3:7
Seats3:3
Percentage3:21.05
Leader4:Carine Montaner Raynaud
Party4:Andorra Forward
Last Election4:New
Seats4:3
Percentage4:16.00
Leader5:Judith Pallarés i Cortés
Party5:Action for Andorra
Last Election5:New
Seats5:1
Percentage5:4.20
Map:2023AndorranParliamentaryElection.svg
Before Election:Xavier Espot Zamora
Before Party:Democrats for Andorra
After Election:Xavier Espot Zamora
After Party:Democrats for Andorra

In the parliamentary elections in Andorra on 2 April 2023,[1] the incumbent liberal-conservative coalition between Democrats for Andorra (DA) and Committed Citizens (CC) won an absolute majority led by Prime Minister Xavier Espot. This is the fourth legislature in a row in which DA governs the country. A new party, Concord, emerged in second place, taking the opposition leadership held by the Social Democratic Party since 2019, which fell to third place by losing four seats.

Background

Three parties eventually formed a governing coalition after the 2019 Andorran parliamentary election, composed of the Democrats, the Liberal Party and Committed Citizens with Xavier Espot as prime minister.[2]

On 14 June 2022, the minister of social affairs Judit Pallarés left the Liberal Party. However, the party assured that this internal crisis would not jeopardize the stability of the coalition. Prime Minister Espot announced, the following day, that he had no intention of advancing the parliamentary elections.[3] Prime Minister Espot ordinarily dissolved the Consell General by decree on 6 February 2023. Campaigning started on 19 March at 3:00 pm. 1 April was the day of election silence and 2 April was the day of the election.

Electoral system

Twenty-eight general councillors (Catalan: consellers generals) are elected, based on closed party lists:[4] [5]

The parish lists and the national list are independent of one another: the same person cannot appear on both the national list and on a parish list, and voters cast two separate ballots. There is no requirement to vote for the same party for both lists.[8]

The 1993 Constitution limits the number of full terms served by a prime minister to two.[9]

Parties and alliances

The deadline for submitting candidacies ended on 13 February, so a total of six candidacies were defined, one less than in the 2019 parliamentary elections.[10] [11]

Three new political parties were presented:

The extraordinary congress of the Democrats for Andorra (DA) held on 15 November 2022 elected Xavier Espot to stand for re-election as prime minister.[17]

On 1 February 2023, the Social Democratic Party (PS) and the Social Democracy and Progress (SDP) presented their coalition "social-democratic alliance" to run together in the elections, since "the moment calls for it". They confirmed that the PS leader, Pere López, would be the leader of the candidacy.[18]

Political coalition Third Way and Lauredian Union (UL), who had two seats on the General Council, announced on 12 February 2023, that they would not run in the elections "based on the coherence and integrity of our political positions".[19]

Liberals of Andorra presented its candidacies on 12 February 2023 with its leader Josep Maria Cabanes as candidate for prime minister.[20]

National constituency

The candidacies presented in the national constituency, in which 14 councilors are elected by proportional representation, are:[21]

ListPartiesIdeology[22] List leader2019 result[23]
PR votesConst. votesSeats
DA+CCDemocrats for AndorraLiberal conservatism
Euroscepticism
Xavier Espot Zamora35.13%34.86%
Committed CitizensSocial liberalism
Localism
Euroscepticism
DNP6.68%
PS+SDPSocial Democratic PartySocial democracy
Pro-Europeanism
Pere López i Agràs30.62%
Social Democracy and ProgressSocial democracy
Pro-Europeanism
5.87%
Liberals of AndorraConservative liberalism
Pro-Europeanism
Josep Maria Cabanes12.48%38.05%
ConcordProgressivism
Environmentalism
Cerni Escalé CabréNew
Andorra ForwardRight-wing populism
Euroscepticism
Carine Montaner RaynaudNew
Action for AndorraSocial liberalism
Progressivism
Pro-Europeanism
Judith Pallarés i CortésNew

Parish constituencies

The parties or coalitions that are presented in the seven parish constituencies, in which the two candidates from the list with the most votes in each parish are elected, are:

Candidacy Candidates[24]
Canillo Encamp Ordino la Massana Andorra la Vella St. Julià de Lòria les Escaldes
Committed CitizensCarles Naudi
David Montané
Democrats for AndorraGuillem Casal
Jordi Jordana
Jordi Torres
Maria Martisella
Berna Coma
Alexandra Codina
Conxita Marsol
Alain Cabanes
Helena Mas
Eva París
Trini Marín
Marc Magallón
Liberals of Andorra
Action for AndorraJosep Fusté
Rebeca Roger
Trini Marín
Marc Magallón
PS+SDPMarta Pujol
Susagna Venable
Joan Miquel Armengol
Pere Mas
Miquel Moliné
Francesc Lizama
Joaquim Miró
Marian Sanchiz
Gerard Alís
Josep Roig
David Pérez
Elisabet Zoppetti
ConcordMartí Alay
Miquel Clua
Pol Bartolomé
Maria Àngela Aché
Ramon Tena
Lara de Miguel
Andorra ForwardJordina Bringué
Eva Font
Elisa Muxella
Dídac Tomàs
Bianca Martínez
Marc Ferreiro

Campaign

Prime Minister Xavier Espot dissolved the Consell General by decree on 6 February 2023, marking the start of campaigning on 19 March at 3:00 pm, 1 April as the day of election silence and 2 April as the election day.[25]

Between 17 and 18 February, a delegation from the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights visited the country to assess the electoral process, issuing a report in which they expressed confidence in the Andorran electoral process and the election administration, so that an election observation was not necessary on 2 April.[26]

Two days before the beginning of the electoral campaign, Democrats for Andorra presented their electoral program, an act that was criticized by PS+SDP as irregular.[27]

The campaign began on 19 March with the traditional pasting of electoral posters. The Liberals of Andorra were the only party that did not start it in Andorra la Vella; they started in Sant Julià de Lòria instead.[28]

The real estate boom, the association agreement with the European Union and the loss of purchasing power due to inflation were the key issues of the campaign.[29]

On 29 March, anonymous pamphlets were disseminated, both on paper and digitally, accusing Espot and his family of benefiting from the Andorran government's intervention in Banca Privada d'Andorra in 2015, a bank accused by the United States Department of the Treasury of money laundering. The pamphlets also accused Democrats for Andorra of wanting to destroy the natural heritage with real estate speculation, denounced Attorney General Alfonso Alberca and his position on abortion, among others. Espot, the following day, released a video in which he denied these accusations, announced that from 3 April he would take legal actions for slander and defended the "honorability" of the country.[30] [31]

The debates between the national candidates took place on 20 March, organized by the Andorran Business Confederation (CEA); on 21 March, organized by Spanish Cadena SER and between Xavier Espot and opposition leader Pere López; and on 30 March, organized by Ràdio i Televisió d'Andorra.[32] [33] [34] [35]

Party slogans

Party or allianceOriginal sloganEnglish translation
DA+CCConfiançaTrust[36]
L'A
  1. Cabanes2023
    Primer, Andorra
  1. Cabanes2023
    First, Andorra
[37]
AccióLa clau de futur.
Passa a l'ACCIÓ. Vota'ns!
The key to the future.
Go to ACTION. Vote for us!
[38]
PS+SDPEl canvi de la majoriaThe change of the majority[39]
ConcordBatega x AndorraBeat for Andorra[40]
Andorra ForwardEl coratge del canviThe courage of change[41]

Opinion polls

Polling firmFieldwork dateSample
size
DACCPSSDPL'ATV– ULEndavantConcordAccióOthersLead
ARI81041.923.46.014.911.32.418.5
2019 election35.1330.625.8712.4810.42Did not exist5.484.51

Conduct

The eight electoral colleges were installed in the headquarters of the parishes, one for each parish added to the own polling station in the village of El Pas de la Casa. Election day began at 9:00 am without any incident and 29,958 people were called to vote, 9,010 of whom had already done so with a judicial vote (early voting that is done at the headquarters of the Andorran judiciary). Polls closed at 7:00 pm.[42]

Results

On the evening of 2 April, the Andorran government announced the results: the ruling coalition of Democrats for Andorra (DA) and Committed Citizens (CC) won the elections with 16 seats, gaining 3 more seats and the absolute majority of Consell General's seats. It was followed by the new Concord party, which won 5 seats. The third place was won by the progressive coalition formed by the Social Democratic Party (PS) and Social Democracy and Progress (SDP), which lost 4 seats, remaining with 3. In last positions, the new parties Andorra Forward, which won 3 seats, and Action for Andorra (Acció), which won one. At a press conference, Xavier Espot, accompanied by the Minister of Finance and acting government spokesman Cesar Marquina, proclaimed these results.[43] Liberals of Andorra was left without parliamentary representation, losing the 4 seats it had.[44]

The turnout was 66.95%, 1.3% less than that recorded in the 2019 elections, despite being higher than in previous years.[45] Early voting rose to 30%, the highest figure ever recorded.

By parish

Summary

ParishAE
Canillo10071,97
Encamp53,0746,9364,52
Ordino43,4039,1717,4376,24
La Massana47,7224,7327,5571,40
Andorra la Vella32,7723,1329,5614,5462,10
Sant Julià de Lòria26,8340,0619,0714,0467,56
Escaldes-Engordany40,4233,6925,90 68,59
Source: Eleccions d'Andorra

Reactions

After winning the elections, Prime Minister Xavier Espot assured the citizens that "we will not fail you and during these 4 years; I will work tirelessly to be worthy of this trust and to bring Andorra to a good place". He also congratulated the two new political forces that obtained a good result, Concord and Andorra Forward, to whom he offered to work together to "work for the benefit of the citizens".[46]

The leader of Concord, Cerni Escalé, announced that they would carry out a "constructive opposition, but courageous and close to the citizens", and expressed his satisfaction with the result obtained, a better result than the polls predicted.[47]

The leader of the PS–SDP coalition, Pere López, acknowledged the poor results and announced that it is necessary to open a process of reflection within the formation and that, at that time, he did not intend to make a decision on his leadership at the head of the PS.[48] On 5 April, López announced that he was stepping down from his seat and the party presidency at the party congress on 20 May.[49]

Carine Montaner, the Andorra Forward candidate, was positive about the result that brought the party to fourth place, and stated that the party will now dedicate itself to "doing the work of counterpower, which is fundamental to fighting corruption and the cronyism that has predominated these past legislatures".[50] Montaner also stated that the numbers did not "add up", insinuating her suspicion that there was electoral fraud, which was criticized by Xavier Espot.[51] [52]

Judith Pallarés, national candidate for Action for Andorra, admitted that she was "a bit sad" about the result obtained and, despite wanting to make a positive reading, expressed the need to reflect internally.[53]

Xavier Espot was sworn in for another term as prime minister on 17 May 2023.[54] [55]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Modalitats de vot. 2023-02-25. eleccions.ad . ca-AD.
  2. Web site: Xavier Espot jura el càrrec de cap de Govern . 2022-12-25 . www.govern.ad . ca-es.
  3. News: Espot no avançarà les eleccions per la crisi de liberals. Diari d'Andorra. ca. 15 June 2022.
  4. Art. 42.2, Law 28/2007.
  5. http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2005_B.htm Electoral system
  6. Art. 57, Law 28/2007.
  7. Art. 58, Law 28/2007. The electoral threshold is the natural quota, one fourteenth of the valid votes (~7.14%).
  8. Arts. 19, 51 & 52, Law 28/2007.
  9. News: Andorra es prepara per a unes eleccions crucials amb dues grans coalicions. Alexandre. Solano. 13 February 2023. VilaWeb.
  10. Web site: Sis candidatures nacionals concorreran a les eleccions d'Andorra del 2 d'abril. 13 February 2023. aldia.cat.
  11. Web site: 2023-02-13 . Definides les llistes per a les eleccions generals d'Andorra. Ràdio Seu. ca.
  12. News: 25 November 2022 . Concòrdia escull Cerni Escalé per encapçalar la candidatura nacional. El Periòdic d'Andorra. ca.
  13. News: 9 March 2021 . Carine Montaner deixa Terceravia, es queda al Consell com a no adscrita i planteja un nou partit. Altaveu. Toni. Solanelles. ca.
  14. News: 19 November 2021 . Formalitzat el partit Andorra Endavant de Carine Montaner. Diari d'Andorra. ca.
  15. News: 27 October 2022 . Acció, un nou partit a Andorra sorgit de la ruptura interna dels Liberals. VilaWeb. ca.
  16. News: 14 June 2022. Liberals es trenca però es garanteix l'estabilitat del Govern de coalició. Bondia. Meritxell. Prat. ca.
  17. News: 16 November 2022. Xavier Espot optarà de nou a ser cap de Govern i afirma: "DA ha de seguir sent el referent en moments de dubte". Ràdio i Televisió d'Andorra. ca.
  18. Web site: El PS i SDP s'uneixen "perquè el moment ho demana" . 2023-02-01 . Diari d'Andorra . 26 January 2023 . ca.
  19. News: 2023-02-12 . Terceravia no es presenta a les eleccions. Diari d'Andorra. ca.
  20. News: 2023-02-12 . TLiberals presenta les candidatures amb el desig de ser l'onada blava. Altaveu. Bru. Noya. ca.
  21. Web site: 2023-02-12 . Llistes electorals . 2023-03-03 . DiariAndorra . ca.
  22. Web site: Andorra . 1 April 2023 . Europe Elects.
  23. Web site: Demòcrates obté 11 consellers i és la força més votada en les eleccions generals. 2019-04-07 . Government of Andorra. ca.
  24. Web site: Candidatures. Government of Andorra. General Elections of 2023.
  25. Web site: Les Eleccions Generals se celebraran el 2 d'abril. 6 February 2023. Government of Andorra.
  26. Web site: L'OSCE avalua positivament el procés electoral. 14 March 2023. Diari d'Andorra.
  27. Web site: SEl programa electoral presentat per Demòcrates abans que arrenqui la campanya genera malestar a PS Progressistes SDP +. 17 March 2023. Ràdio i Televisió d'Andorra.
  28. Web site: Comença la campanya electoral. 19 March 2023. Diari d'Andorra.
  29. Web site: Andorra va a les urnes amb Europa i l'habitatge com a protagonistes. 1 April 2023. Ara.
  30. Web site: Espot emprendrà accions per difamacions a partir del 3 d'abril. 30 March 2023. Altaveu.
  31. Web site: Xavier Espot anuncia accions legals pels atacs difamatoris durant la campanya. 31 March 2023. Cadena SER. Fuentes Pérez. Marisol.
  32. News: La CEA organitza un debat amb els candidats a cap de Govern. 15 March 2023. Diari d'Andorra.
  33. News: La SER repeteix el cara a cara entre Espot i López. 20 March 2023. Cadena SER.
  34. News: El debat a candidats de cap de Govern serà el 30 de març. 3 March 2023. Diari d'Andorra.
  35. Web site: Debat nacional amb els caps de llista. 30 March 2023. Ràdio i Televisió d'Andorra.
  36. Web site: Election programme of DA+CC+ACO+UP . ca . democrates2023.com . Democrats for Andorra.
  37. Web site: Cabanes 2023 . ca . cabanes2023.com . Liberals of Andorra.
  38. Web site: Election programme of ACCIÓ . ca . somaccio.org . Democrats for Andorra.
  39. Web site: Election programme of PS+SDP . ca . psa.ad . Social Democratic Party (Andorra).
  40. Web site: Election programme of Concòrdia . ca . concordia.ad . Democrats for Andorra.
  41. Web site: Election programme of Andorra Endavant . ca . andorraendavant.info . Andorra Endavant.
  42. News: Eleccions en marxa. 2 April 2023. Altaveu. https://web.archive.org/web/20230406123224/https://www.altaveu.com/actualitat/eleccions-generals-2023/eleccions-en-marxa_47258_102.html . 6 April 2023. live. ca.
  43. Web site: Les Eleccions Generals donen 16 consellers a Demòcrates + CC + ACO + UP, 3 a Concòrdia, 3 al Partit Socialdemòcrata Progressistes SDP+, 3 a Andorra Endavant i 1 a Acció. 2 April 2023. Government of Andorra.
  44. News: Les urnes converteixen l'onada blava liberal en mar plana. Bru. Noya. 2 April 2023. Altaveu.
  45. News: Los Demòcrates de Xavier Espot gobernarán en solitario Andorra con mayoría absoluta. Javier. Ricou. 2 April 2023. La Vanguardia.
  46. News: Espot celebra la majoria i assegura que "no us fallarem". 3 April 2023. Diari d'Andorra.
  47. News: Concòrdia anuncia una oposició "constructiva, però valenta". Joan Ramon. Baiges. 3 April 2023. Diari d'Andorra.
  48. News: La socialdemocràcia en crisi. Ester. Pons. 2 April 2023. Altaveu.
  49. News: Pere López renuncia a l'escó. Lídia. Raventós. 5 April 2023. Diari d'Andorra.
  50. News: Montaner diu que combatrà l'amiguisme. Lucía. Quesada. 3 April 2023. Diari d'Andorra.
  51. News: Montaner posa en dubte els resultats i afirma que no li "quadren els números". Lucía. Quesada. 4 April 2023. Diari d'Andorra.
  52. News: Espot suggereix a Carine Montaner 'que calli' si no té proves de frau en el procés electoral. 4 April 2023. Ràdio i Televisió d'Andorra.
  53. News: El partit menys votat tindrà un representant al Consell General. Víctor. González. 3 April 2023. Diari d'Andorra.
  54. Web site: 2023-05-15 . Xavier Espot Zamora ha pres possessió del càrrec de cap de Govern i ha anunciat la configuració de l'Executiu . 2023-05-24 . www.govern.ad . ca-es.
  55. Web site: 2023-05-17 . El nou equip de la novena legislatura del Govern pren possessió del càrrec . 2023-05-24 . www.govern.ad . ca-es.