“We Don't Want the EU Referendum Delayed Unnecessarily or Timed for Electoral Convenience”

Gerard Alís faces one of the most significant political challenges of his career: rebuilding the electoral strength of Andorra's Social Democratic Party (PS) and positioning it as a credible alternative to Demòcrates per Andorra (DA) ahead of the 2027 general election.

A lawyer by profession, Alís served as a member of Andorra's parliament, the General Council, between 2015 and 2019 and previously held the position of first secretary of the PS. He now leads the party's electoral campaign following its disappointing performance in 2023.

Under Pere López, and in coalition with SDP Progressistes, the Social Democrats saw their parliamentary representation fall from seven to just three seats.

The political landscape has since become increasingly challenging. The PS must regain the confidence of progressive voters, some of whom have shifted their support towards Concòrdia, while simultaneously exploring possible electoral alliances with that same party to challenge the dominance of Demòcrates per Andorra.

Meanwhile, Andorra's housing crisis, declining purchasing power, the future of the EU association agreement and the debate over abortion rights remain central issues in the country's political debate.

In this exclusive interview with La Veu Lliure, Alís addresses the party's past mistakes, its relationship with Concòrdia, the timing of the EU referendum and the reforms he would pursue if elected to lead Andorra's government.

With the 2027 Andorran general election approaching, one question remains: can the Social Democrats recover their political identity and electoral influence, or will their future increasingly depend on cooperation with other parties?

“We Want Prosperity to Reach Everyone”

What has changed between the PS that won three parliamentary seats under Pere López in 2023 and the party you lead today? What can this new PS offer Andorra's working class?

The 2023 election result requires us to engage in self-criticism, but the PS is not starting from scratch, nor is this simply about changing the candidate.

We have developed a social democratic project over many years, and we have entered a new phase focused on bringing people together, renewing our team and restoring enthusiasm.

What we offer is a roadmap to ensure that working in Andorra means being able to live here with dignity: affordable housing, salaries that allow people to make ends meet, strong public services and labour rights.

We want Andorra to remain a prosperous country, but we want that prosperity to reach everyone.

“Reaching Agreements on National Issues Does Not Mean Endorsing Government Policies”

Do you believe the PS has been sufficiently forceful in its opposition to Demòcrates per Andorra? On issues requiring consensus, such as the association agreement with the European Union, has the party been too cautious to avoid making DA uncomfortable?

I believe we have provided firm opposition, putting forward proposals and scrutinising the government's actions, particularly on housing, one of the country's most serious problems.

We have proposed solutions that the parliamentary majority has not adopted, and we have worked to communicate our efforts to hold the government accountable and defend the interests of citizens.

“Reaching agreements on national issues does not mean endorsing government policies.”

As for Europe, we have supported this relationship for years because we believe it is beneficial for the country, not because we want to avoid making DA uncomfortable.

We participate in the State Pact out of responsibility, without giving up our demands for information, a referendum and compliance with the commitments made.

Why the PS Supports Transitional Compensation for Members of Parliament

The PS proposed introducing end-of-term compensation for members of the General Council. Do you consider this measure consistent with the party's commitments to transparency and sound financial management?

First, I think it is important to clarify exactly what we are discussing, because this is not compensation for ceasing to be a member of parliament, nor is it a privilege for elected officials.

The proposal seeks to address a very specific situation: when a parliamentary term ends and elections are called, members of the General Council stop receiving their remuneration.

If they decide to stand for re-election, they may spend approximately two and a half months without income while waiting to find out whether they will remain in office or need to return to their previous employment.

This situation is particularly complicated for people who come from the public sector, because temporarily returning to their former position could affect the employee currently occupying it.

It would make little sense to displace that person for a few weeks, only to leave the position vacant again if the parliamentarian is re-elected.

Therefore, what we want to examine is limited compensation covering this transitional period, rather than severance pay for having held political office.

We must also remember that not everyone can afford to go almost three months without being paid.

Politics should be accessible to people from different professional backgrounds and economic circumstances, not just those who can afford to spend months without income.

Naturally, any measure of this kind must be governed by clear, proportionate and transparent criteria.

“The PS Does Not Depend on Any Other Political Party”

Are you concerned that Concòrdia could break its alliance with the PS and further weaken the party's political position? The PS won only three seats in 2023, and opinion polls suggest it could lose more support. Do you fear Concòrdia could leave the Social Democrats politically isolated?

The PS project does not depend on any other party.

We will contest the national constituency with our own candidate, programme and political identity, with the ambition of leading a change of government.

At parish level, we are working with Concòrdia, local political groups, independent candidates and other political perspectives to build broad electoral platforms rooted in their communities and based on shared commitments.

Joining forces is not a form of dependence. It is a responsibility if we want to make political change possible.

We must continue listening, expanding our team and explaining what we want to achieve for the country.

Ultimately, the strength of the PS will be determined by the citizens.

Abortion Rights and Andorra's Co-Principality: “Institutions Must Serve Citizens, Not the Other Way Around”

The PS has argued that a republic could be an option if necessary to guarantee rights such as women's access to abortion. If you govern alongside Concòrdia in the next parliamentary term, will you push for progress on this issue? Would you be prepared to go as far as requiring the Episcopal Co-Prince to leave office?

The decriminalisation of abortion and recognition of women's right to make decisions about their own bodies are firm commitments of the Social Democratic Party.

If we have government responsibilities, we will work to make them a reality.

However, we do not agree that this debate should be presented as a choice between women's rights and the co-principality.

We believe it is possible to advance these rights within our existing constitutional framework, and that should be the first approach we explore.

What we cannot accept is the possibility of an institutional conflict becoming a permanent excuse for failing to legislate.

It is not our place to anticipate what decision the Episcopal Co-Prince might make regarding a reform that has not yet been approved.

Our intention is to preserve institutional stability while also allowing the country and its rights to evolve.

And if a genuine incompatibility between the two ever arose, we would have to address it democratically, without abandoning women's rights from the outset.

“Institutions must serve citizens, not the other way around.”

“We Would Have Preferred the EU Referendum to Take Place During This Parliamentary Term”

In their 2023 election programme, both the PS and SDP Progressistes supported holding a referendum on the EU association agreement before it was signed. The agreement has now been signed, yet the PS has remained within the State Pact. Do you still demand that the referendum take place during this parliamentary term, or do you accept the government's timetable, which places it in the next legislature?

Our commitment to the referendum has not changed.

The PS has always maintained that a decision of such importance for Andorra's future relationship with the European Union must be submitted to a public vote, and that citizens must be able to express their views with all the necessary information.

It is true that our election programme advocated holding the referendum before the agreement was signed, and it is also true that the process has not followed the timetable we would have preferred.

We have no difficulty acknowledging that.

However, we must distinguish between signing and ratification.

The agreement has been signed, but it has not been ratified or entered into force. Citizens must still have the final say before the General Council decides whether to ratify it.

We would have preferred the referendum to take place during this parliamentary term, and we continue to argue that it should be held as soon as possible, while respecting the necessary institutional procedures.

“What we do not want is for it to be delayed unnecessarily or for the timetable to be determined by electoral convenience.”

The PS is part of the State Pact because we believe the agreement represents an opportunity for Andorra's future, not because we agree with every decision made by the government.

Being loyal to a national project also means demanding transparency, proper information and the right of citizens to decide.

“Being Pro-European Does Not Exempt Us From Ensuring Prosperity Reaches Everyone”

One of the government's perceived strengths is its management of public finances: it has reduced debt and increased tax revenue. Nevertheless, many citizens do not feel that economic growth has improved their quality of life. What growth model does the PS propose to ensure families benefit? Would you increase wages or restrict foreign investment? And how would you reconcile such restrictions with the PS's support for the EU association agreement and its free movement provisions?

Sound public finances are necessary, but progress must be reflected in people's everyday lives.

We propose a better model of growth: higher added value, better wages, collective bargaining, affordable housing and strong public services.

We should not have to choose between improving salaries and regulating investment.

We want to encourage productive investment while limiting speculation, with development planned according to the country's resources and territorial capacity.

“Being pro-European does not exempt us from governing in a way that ensures prosperity reaches everyone.”

The agreement with the European Union maintains residence quotas and provides safeguards. Any measures concerning investment must be compatible with the agreed framework.

Gerard Alís Appeals to Disappointed Social Democratic Voters Ahead of 2027

What would you say to left-wing voters and working people who have become disappointed with the PS? What message would you send to traditional supporters of the party to persuade them to place their trust in it again?

Trust is earned through actions, consistency and clear proposals.

Our responsibility is to listen, engage in self-criticism and demonstrate that the PS can help solve the country's problems.

I have taken on this responsibility with humility and a commitment to public service, seeking to bring people together around a project built over many years, with experience and a desire for transformation.

We want everyone to be able to build their own future in Andorra, with affordable housing, decent salaries and strong public services.

I believe the national project the PS has developed over the years can provide the balance necessary to make this possible.

That is why I want to lead this transformation, ensuring that Andorra remains a prosperous country and that its prosperity benefits everyone.