The Head of Government, Xavier Espotruled out making the next general elections coincide with the referendum on the association agreement with the European Union. spot he defended that the consultation it should be held before the elections if the calendar allows and that, otherwise, it would have to be postponed until later to prevent the two processes from overlapping. “If the referendum cannot be held before the elections, I think that what will have to be done is the referendum after, and don’t mix it up with the election”, said the head of government in statements to the media.
spot he admitted that the European question will inevitably mark the election campaign, regardless of when the consultation is held. As he pointed out, the debate on the agreement will be one of the main axes of the next electionsbecause the formations will have to explain their position on a project with long-term consequences. “This is not an issue of the next election, but the future of Andorra is at stakea, after many years,” remarked the head of government, who demanded “responsibility” from the parties and a view that goes beyond the immediate interests of the electoral confrontation. The statements come a week after the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the member states of the European Unionthe coreper, has unanimously approved the text for the association agreement with AAndorra and San Marino. The decision derails the process after more than two years of review in the Council of the EU and confirms the mixed nature of the text, which will have to be signed and ratified by the European Unionthe 27 member states, Andorra and San Marino.
“If it can’t be done before the elections, it will have to be done after and not mixed up”
The text will now rise to the Council of the European Union to formally approve the signature decision. In previous statements, the head of government he predicted that the agreement could be signed in September and that the ratification phase would then open. A Andorrathe Government already announced that a consultative referendum will be called after the approval of the European Parliament. If the result is favorable, the agreement will go to General Council, where it will need a qualified majority of two thirds.
“It is not an issue of the elections, we are playing with the future of Andorra”
The consultation schedule depends on the European processing. spot already ruled out giving a specific date after the various delays a Brusselsbut he made it clear that he wanted to separate it from the elections.
