Andorra's abortion reform to proceed without Vatican approval or episcopal co-prince's signature

Andorra's Minister of Institutional Relations, Education and Universities, Ladislau Baró, has confirmed the scenario previously reported by La Veu Lliure on October 7 regarding the country's proposed abortion reform: the government does not expect explicit approval from the Vatican or the episcopal co-prince, Josep-Lluís Serrano i Pentinat, and the legislation is expected to proceed without the Bishop of Urgell's signature.

Baró's statements, reported by RTVA, indicate that the absence of formal approval from Rome and the Bishop of Urgell is part of the arrangement under which the Andorran government is working, following years of discussions aimed at finding a solution compatible with preserving the country's unique co-principality system.

"We have no approval from either Rome or the Bishop of Urgell, nor do we expect it, because this is already the agreed scenario, and because it is the way to address an issue that is so sensitive for the Church," the minister stated.

Baró's remarks are particularly significant because they acknowledge that the government does not require public endorsement from Catholic Church authorities to continue processing the abortion reform.

This does not mean that discussions or negotiations have not taken place. Rather, the arrangement adopted by the government is specifically designed to avoid requiring the Church to publicly endorse the decriminalisation of abortion.

Emmanuel Macron expected to be the only co-prince to sign the abortion reform

As La Veu Lliure reported on October 7, the expected scenario is that the episcopal co-prince will not sign the legislation, leaving French President Emmanuel Macron, who also serves as Andorra's co-prince, to sanction and promulgate the reform under the constitutional mechanisms available.

Under normal circumstances, Andorran legislation is sanctioned and promulgated by both co-princes.

However, Andorra's Constitution provides mechanisms allowing legislation to enter into force with the signature of only one head of state under certain circumstances.

This possibility would allow the reform to move forward without requiring Josep-Lluís Serrano i Pentinat, Bishop of Urgell and episcopal co-prince of Andorra, to sign an amendment to the Criminal Code involving an issue that remains particularly sensitive for the Catholic Church.

The arrangement would enable the government to advance the decriminalisation of abortion for women while seeking to avoid an institutional confrontation that could affect Andorra's co-principality.

However, the absence of the bishop's signature and Macron's role in promulgating the law remain anticipated developments rather than completed formal acts.

Andorran government says broader abortion reform could threaten the co-principality

Baró also responded to criticism from opposition parliamentary groups, which have questioned the limited scope of the government's proposed reform.

According to the minister, the legislative proposal represents "the minimum necessary to make the decriminalisation of women compatible" with maintaining the co-principality.

The reform concerns Article 117 of Andorra's Criminal Code and would remove criminal liability for women who voluntarily terminate a pregnancy.

However, healthcare professionals who perform abortions in circumstances that remain prohibited would continue to face criminal penalties under Andorran law.

The proposal therefore does not amount to the general legalisation of abortion in Andorra. Instead, it establishes a limited decriminalisation applying specifically to women.

This distinction remains one of the main points of disagreement between the government and political and social groups calling for a broader reform of reproductive rights.

Opposition parties could seek amendments to expand abortion decriminalisation

One of the outstanding questions is how much scope opposition parliamentary groups will have to introduce amendments extending the proposed decriminalisation.

The government considers that the current text reflects the institutional balance reached during negotiations with Church authorities, meaning that substantial modifications could potentially alter the agreed framework.

It remains unclear whether the government would be willing to accept broader amendments during the parliamentary process or whether it will maintain the current proposal as the limit of what it considers compatible with preserving the co-principality.

Baró's statements suggest that the executive views the proposed legislation as the result of a carefully negotiated institutional compromise.

Andorra Endavant questions the lack of approval from the episcopal co-prince

The absence of explicit approval from the Vatican and the Bishop of Urgell has been one of the main concerns raised by the parliamentary group Andorra Endavant.

Its leader, Carine Montaner, had previously warned that a possible refusal by the episcopal co-prince to support the reform could lead her party to vote against it.

Baró's statements confirm that the government does not expect public approval from Josep-Lluís Serrano, although they do not establish that the bishop has formally opposed the legislation.

The bishop could potentially address the issue during his traditional Christmas speech at the Episcopal Palace, although he made no reference to the abortion reform in last year's address.

Vatican's position raises questions about Andorra's constitutional system

Baró's public acknowledgment also carries broader institutional implications.

The Andorran government is proceeding on the understanding that a major legislative reform can advance without explicit approval from the episcopal co-prince, even though he shares the country's head of state responsibilities with the President of France.

This situation illustrates the delicate balance the government is attempting to maintain: advancing the decriminalisation of abortion for women without requiring the Catholic Church's representative to sign legislation that could conflict with Church doctrine.

The minister's statements may also be interpreted as publicly distancing the episcopal co-prince from the legislative decision, although the government maintains that this arrangement had already been addressed during previous discussions.

La Veu Lliure reported on October 7 that the abortion reform could proceed without the Bishop of Urgell's signature, a possibility now reinforced by Baró's confirmation that the government does not expect explicit approval from either Rome or the episcopal co-prince.