Andorra's government pushes forward abortion bill requiring signature from bishop who won't sign
The Pyrenean principality has two co-princes, including the bishop of Urgell. The standoff tests the constitution and the defense of life.
Andorra's government has approved a bill to end prison penalties for women who obtain abortions, setting parliament on a collision course with the Catholic bishop of Urgell, who serves as one of the country's co-princes. Ministers approved the legislation on October 28 and forwarded it to the Consell General, Andorra's parliament, under an urgent procedure.
Home to roughly 90,000 residents nestled between France and Spain in the Pyrenees mountains, Andorra maintains a unique governance structure. Since 1278, the nation has been led by two joint heads of state known as co-princes: the president of France and the bishop of Urgell, whose see sits just across the Spanish border. Aside from Vatican City, it remains the only country where a Catholic bishop serves as head of state.
The legislation and the avoided veto
The newly advanced bill rewrites Article 117 of the penal code to exempt women who consent to or request an abortion from criminal punishment. However, doctors and anyone performing the procedure would still face up to three years in prison and a five-year ban from medical practice. Abortion remains banned outright in the principality, though lawmakers note that no woman has actually faced imprisonment under the existing statute.