Andorra history, language and culture

Andorra, one of the oldest nations in Europe, was originally established by Charlemagne as a buffer state against the Iberian Muslims. As a result of the Paretages of 1278 and 1288, control of the country was split between the Spanish Bishop of Urgell and a nominee appointed by the King of France (initially the Count de Foix) and subsequently by the French emperors and presidents. This unique power-sharing arrangement lasted until the late 20th century when the present constitution formally enshrined Andorra as a principality.

The present Andorran constitution, introduced in 1993, formally defined Andorra as a principality. Administration is in the hands of a general council with 28 members, four from each of the seven parishes, elected by universal suffrage. The council elects a president and a vice-president. Domestic politics are dominated by two parties - the Uniò Liberal (UL) and the Agrupament Nacional Democràtic (AND).

Following a comprehensive victory in the February 1997 poll, at which the UL took 18 of the 28 seats on the Conseil Général, a UL government took office under the leadership of Marc Forné Molné.

Four years later, in 2001, the electorate returned the Molné government for a second term, again with an absolute majority. However, in 2005, Albert Pintat of the Liberal Party became prime minister, although not with an absolute majority. Molné lost his seat in the 2005 election but, in any case, was barred by the constitution from standing for a new term.

In April 2009, the Social Democratic Party won the parliamentary election and in June 2009 Jaume Bartumeu Cassany assumed office as Head of Government.