Government and Politics of Andorra

Government Type

parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains as its chiefs of state a coprincipality; the two princes are the president of France and bishop of Seo de Urgel, Spain, who are represented locally by coprinces' representatives

Administrative Divisions

7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, La Massana, Escaldes-Engordany, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria

Legal System

based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the mother must be an Andorran citizen or the father must have been born in Andorra and both parents maintain permanent residence in Andorra dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 25 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: French Coprince Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017), represented by Patrick STRZODA (since 2017); Spanish Coprince Bishop Joan-Enric VIVES i SICILIA (since 12 May 2003), represented by Josep Maria MAURI (since 2012) head of government: Prime Minister (Cap de Govern) Xavier ESPOT ZAMORA (since 16 May 2019) cabinet: Executive Council or Govern designated by the Prime Minister and formally appointed by the coprinces elections: Prime Minister elected by the General Council following legislative elections and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year term; election last held on 2 April 2023 (next to be held in 2027) election results: Xavier ESPOT ZAMORA reelected Prime Minister following the April 2023 general election, in which his party, Democrats for Andorra (DA), secured the largest share of seats in the General Council

Legislative Branch

unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de las Valls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 from a single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the seven parishes; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held March-April 2009) election results: percent of vote by party - PLA 41.2%, PS 38.1%, CDA-S21 11%, other 9.7%; seats by party - PLA 14, PS 12, CDA-S21 2

Judicial Branch

Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justice or Consell Superior de la Justicia; Fiscal Ministry or Ministeri Fiscal; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional

Political Parties

Andorran Democratic Center Party or CDA (formerly Democratic Party or PD) [leader NA]; Century 21 or S21 [Enric TARRADO]; Liberal Party of Andorra or PLA (formerly Liberal Union or UL) [Albert PINTAT]; Social Democratic Party or PS (formerly part of National Democratic Group or AND) [Mariona GONZALEZ REOLIT]

Head of State

Christian Fremont and Nemesi Marques i Oste

Head of Government

Executive Council President Jaume Bartumeu Cassany

Cabinet

Executive Council or Govern designated by the Executive Council president

Elections

Executive Council president elected by the General Council and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year term; election last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held in April-May 2009

Election Results

Jaume BARTUMEU CASSANY elected executive council president; percent of General Council vote - NA

Constitution

Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991; approved by referendum 14 March 1993; came into force 4 May 1993

Independence

1278 (was formed under the joint suzerainty of the French count of Foix and the Spanish bishop of Urgel)

National Holiday

Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)

International Organization Participation

CE, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNESCO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WToO, WTrO (observer)

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jelena V. PIA-COMELLA chancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064 FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US Ambassador to Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; telephone: [34] (93) 280-2227; FAX: [34] (93) 280-6175

Capital City

Andorra la Vella

Location

42 30 N, 1 31 E

Time Difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

History

translates as "Andorra the Old" in Catalan

Calle Serrano, 75 28006 Madrid, Spain Telephone: (34) 91 587 2240 Emergency after-hours telephone: (34) 91 587 2200 Ask to speak to the duty officer if you need emergency assistance outside business hours. Facsimile: (34) 91 587 2303 E-mail: askacs@state.gov Website: U.S. Embassy Madrid

Military Branches

No regular military forces, Police Service of Andorra