Morning opening: Co-prince Macron visits Andorra
France’s president is currently in Andorra, fulfilling his role as the state’s co-prince alongside the Catholic Bishop of Urgell, Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat.
This unique political arrangement might be an interesting fact for political enthusiasts, but it carries significant weight as Macron’s visit coincides with ongoing policy discussions on abortion in Andorra, a country known for having some of Europe’s most restrictive abortion laws.
Radio France International reported that Andorra’s prime minister, Xavier Espot Zamora, has "indicated he hopes to decriminalise abortion within a year, though not necessarily legalise it," but the involvement of a Catholic bishop in the governance structure complicates the issue.
During his speech today as Andorra’s co-prince, Macron is expected to address the abortion debate candidly and support the proposed reforms. He is also anticipated to endorse plans for Andorra to ratify its association agreement with the European Union, potentially as early as July.
Last night, Macron’s visit underscored Andorra’s unique history and international status, with political discussions traditionally held behind closed doors. Today, more public statements are expected.
Andorra’s public broadcaster RTVA reported on Monday that Macron confirmed abortion would be a topic in his speech, with the Catholic co-prince acknowledging that:
"we must move forward without breaking the institutional seams."
The precise implications of this statement remain to be seen.
I will provide the key excerpts from Macron’s speech later.
Separately, the European Parliament is scheduled to discuss the upcoming EU budget, while the European Commission will consider reforms to its regulatory framework.
I will continue to monitor these developments for you.
It is Tuesday, 28 April 2026. I am Jakub Krupa, and this is Europe Live.
Meanwhile, Macron visited the Andorran primary school in Santa Coloma, enjoying his time with children and happily posing for photos with the Andorran flags.
Last week, he engaged in similar activities, and we can expect more such legacy-building visits and initiatives as he enters his final year in office.
