“Iceland should teach the Andorran Government a lesson in democracy”

Andorra Endavant has reacted to the result of the referendum held in Iceland, where 52.5% of voters rejected moving towards possible membership of the European Union.

The parliamentary group held up the Nordic country as an example of respect for popular sovereignty and used the referendum to criticise the way the Andorran Government has handled the Association Agreement with the European Union.

“At Andorra Endavant, we welcome the fact that countries such as Iceland respect the voice of their people and put an issue as important as closer ties with the European Union to a referendum,” the party said.

For the party led by Carine Montaner, Iceland’s referendum represents “an example of democracy and respect for popular sovereignty”. Andorra Endavant contrasted the Icelandic process with the approach taken in Andorra and argued that the Government should have consulted the population at an earlier stage.

“The Government has put the cart before the horse”

The party used a direct comparison to highlight the differences between the two processes.

“Iceland started by laying the foundations: first listen to the people and then decide which path to take,” Andorra Endavant said.

By contrast, the party argues that Andorra has followed the process in reverse: “In Andorra, the Government has put the cart before the horse: first it negotiated the Association Agreement and now, after years of negotiations, we still do not know when citizens will be able to have their say.”

The criticism comes after years of negotiations between Andorra and Brussels and amid an ongoing political debate over when the referendum on the EU Association Agreement will be held.

Andorra Endavant argues that a decision of such importance should not leave direct public participation until the final stage of the process.

“When it comes to a decision that could shape the country’s future for generations, the voice of the people cannot come at the end of the process. It must be its foundation,” the party concluded.

The reaction comes after Icelandic voters rejected moving towards potential EU membership. The referendum ended with 52.5% voting ‘No’ and 47.5% voting ‘Yes’, a result that has also reignited debate in Andorra over the role citizens should play in decisions that define the country’s relationship with the European Union.