Andorra Endavant conditions its support for abortion decriminalisation on the Episcopal Co-Prince's position

The president of the Andorra Endavant parliamentary group, Carine Montaner, has made her party's support for the proposed reform of the Criminal Code to decriminalise abortion for women conditional on the position adopted by the Episcopal Co-Prince, Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat.

Montaner has expressed concern that the Government of Andorra may not have submitted the draft legislation to the Episcopal Co-Prince before initiating the parliamentary process, a situation she considers particularly sensitive because of its potential institutional consequences.

"There are institutional procedures that must be respected, and therefore we believe the minister should have sent the text to the Episcopal Co-Prince's office. Our concern is that we do not even know whether the Episcopal Co-Prince has received it," she stated.

Montaner calls for guarantees to preserve Andorra's Co-Principality

The leader of Andorra Endavant believes it is essential that the Episcopal Co-Prince be fully informed of the proposed legislative amendment and have the opportunity to express his position before the General Council of Andorra proceeds with the legislation.

According to Montaner, the issue goes beyond the debate over abortion decriminalisation and directly concerns the institutional balance of the Principality.

"This is fundamental because what is at stake is whether we preserve the Co-Principality or not," she warned.

In this regard, the parliamentary group president defended the need to respect institutional procedures and ensure that the Episcopal Co-Prince has been informed of a reform addressing an especially sensitive issue for the Catholic Church and the episcopal institution.

Andorra's unique political system is based on a parliamentary Co-Principality, with the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell serving jointly as heads of state.

Any reform involving abortion legislation therefore carries particular institutional significance, given the Episcopal Co-Prince's religious responsibilities and the constitutional structure of the country.

Andorra Endavant makes its parliamentary vote conditional on the Episcopal Co-Prince's response

Montaner has made it clear that her party will not reach a final decision on how to vote until the Episcopal Co-Prince's position becomes known.

Specifically, she stated that Andorra Endavant would not support the amendment to the Criminal Code if it emerged that the Episcopal Co-Prince had not received the draft legislation or expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed reform.

"If the Episcopal Co-Prince's office does not have the text, that is a problem," she insisted.

Andorra Endavant's position introduces an additional institutional consideration into the parliamentary debate on abortion decriminalisation, at a time when the country's political parties have begun publicly assessing the Government's proposal.

While Demòcrates per Andorra has defended the reform as a step forward, Concòrdia considers the proposed changes insufficient.

Andorra Endavant, meanwhile, has placed the Episcopal Co-Prince's response at the centre of its decision-making process.

The party's position therefore remains undecided until it can be clarified whether the Episcopal Co-Prince has received the draft legislation, what assessment he has made of it and whether he publicly expresses his approval.

The controversy highlights the institutional challenges surrounding abortion reform in Andorra, where the Government is seeking to remove criminal penalties for women who undergo abortions while maintaining criminal sanctions against healthcare professionals who perform the procedure.