This is a protest on an unprecedented scale for the principality. Hundreds of people took part in the largest demonstration in Andorra’s history on Tuesday evening to protest against rising property prices.
The demonstrators read a manifesto demanding “decent housing”. “Housing is a fundamental right recognized in our Constitution and we cannot accept speculation about a fundamental need,” they argued.
Housing at the heart of the last electoral campaign
“There will be a before and after of this mobilization and political leaders know it,” said one of the promoters of the movement, who is demanding the resignation of the head of government Xavier Espot, re-elected in April at the head of a center coalition. -right.
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.
An attractive tax policy
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.
In recent years, with an attractive tax policy, Andorra has attracted wealthy people, which has caused an increase in housing prices.