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Andorra imposes language requirement on foreign residents

The parliament of the tiny Pyrenean principality of Andorra has passed a law setting a minimum Catalan language requirement for foreign residents.

Published: 26 April 2024 12:38 CEST
Andorra imposes language requirement on foreign residents
Andorra La Vella in Andorra (Photo by PASCAL PAVANI / AFP)

The law aims to bolster the standing of Catalan, the official language in the 468 square kilometre statelet nestled in the mountains between France and Spain, where its use has dropped off in recent years.

Andorrans represent about half of the 80,000 population but there are 25,000 Spanish and many Latin American migrant workers with the Spanish language becoming the everyday language for many.

8 things you never knew about Andorra

About 3,000 people who have to renew their residency permits in 2024 will face the tests, and those who fail will have to take a 30-hour course in Catalan at a government centre.

The law also allows for fines to be imposed in some cases where Catalan is not spoken at a business or institution.

“The spirit (of the law) is to protect our language which is a sign of identity and sovereignty,” said Andorra’s Culture Minister Monica Bonell.

The law was passed by 25 votes to three with the small Andorra Endavant party voting against.

“We do not agree with these extremist fines if you do not speak Catalan. I think we are sliding towards a totalitarian state,” said Carine Montaner, head of Andorra Endavant.

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POLITICS

French forces smash roadblocks in bid to clear key New Caledonia road

French forces smashed through about 60 road blocks to clear the way from conflict-stricken New Caledonia's capital to the airport but have still not reopened the route, a top government official said Sunday.

Published: 19 May 2024 13:20 CEST
French forces smash roadblocks in bid to clear key New Caledonia road

And after six nights of violence that has left six dead and hundreds injured, security forces will launch “harrassment” raids to reclaim other parts of the Pacific territory, the French government representative in New Caledonia, Louis Le Franc, said in a televised address.

“Republican order will be re-established whatever the cost,” Le Franc, the central government’s high commissioner, warned radicals behind the violence.

The Pacific archipelago of 270,000 people has been convulsed by unrest since Monday, sparked by French plans to impose new voting rules that would give tens of thousands of non-indigenous residents voting rights.

READ ALSO: France mounts ‘major operation’ to open route to New Caledonia’s restive capital

The territory has long suffered from ethnic tensions and opposition to French rule by Kanak groups.

Authorities said 600 heavily armed police took part in an operation Sunday to retake the 60-kilometre (40-mile) main road from Noumea to the airport that has been closed to commercial flights since the unrest erupted.

The local government estimates around 3,200 people are either stuck in New Caledonia or unable to return there from abroad since flights have been cancelled.

Australia and New Zealand have been pressing France for clearance to launch evacuation flights for their citizens.

Le Franc said about 60 roadblocks put up by pro-independence groups had been “broken through” without violence.

But the official added that the route was full of wrecks of cars, burned wood and metal which had only been cleared at 15 of the roadblocks. Le Franc said the road was also damaged in several places.

READ MORE: Explained: What’s behind the violence on French island of New Caledonia?

AFP journalists on the road found some roadblocks had been re-established by separatists, although they were eventually able to reach the airport.

Le Franc said police units would launch “harrassment operations” in coming hours to retake “hardcore” areas in Noumea and the towns of Dumbea and Paita.

“It is going to intensify in coming days” in zones held by independence activists, said Le Franc. “If they want to use their arms, they will be risking the worst.”

“I want to tell the rioters: stop, return to calm, give up your arms,” added Le Franc, saying the crisis remained “unprecedented” and “grave”.

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