Hundreds of people took part in the largest demonstration in the history of the principality of Andorra on Tuesday evening to protest against the rise in real estate prices, an AFP correspondent noted. Protesters read a manifesto demanding “decent housing”. “Housing is a fundamental right recognized in our Constitution and we cannot accept speculation about a basic need,” they plead.
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Property prices in Andorra, a Pyrenean state of 80,000 inhabitants, have jumped by more than 30% since 2018, forcing some citizens to find accommodation in neighboring Spain. “There will be a before and after of this mobilization and political leaders know it”estimates one of the promoters of the movement, which demands the resignation of the head of government Xavier Espot, re-elected in April at the head of a center-right coalition.
Access to housing was a central theme of the electoral campaign in the spring, and the head of government committed to building low-income housing. In recent years, with an attractive tax policy, Andorra has attracted wealthy people, which has caused an increase in housing prices.