Andorra · 150th anniversary of the New Reform of 1866

In the 19th century, Andorra was a rural community under the joint sovereignty of two co-princes: the Bishop of Urgell and the French head of state. Domestic policy was determined by the Consell General, which had emerged from the Consell de la Terra, established in 1419. However, access to political office and the right to vote largely lay with the long-established, wealthy families of the individual parishes.

The Nova Reforma was largely the result of an initiative by Guillem d’Areny-Plandolit, a landowner and politician from Ordino. The reform decree was confirmed in 1866 by the episcopal co-prince Josep Caixal i Estradé; approval from the French side followed later under Napoleon III. Since the co-princes exercised supreme state authority, such confirmations were required to amend the political order.

The reform extended the right to vote to male heads of household and re-regulated the election and composition of the Consell General. This enabled more families to participate in the politics of the principality. Nevertheless, there was no question of universal suffrage in the modern sense: women were excluded, and men without the corresponding status of head of household also remained without voting rights. The Nova Reforma was thus a step towards broader political participation, but it did not completely eliminate social barriers.

The Casa de la Vall was originally built in the late 16th century as a family residence and fortified house. The Consell General acquired the building in 1702 and used it as a meeting place for more than three centuries. Its simple council chamber therefore represents the institutional continuity of the small community. It was not until 2011 that Parliament moved to a new building immediately next door.

The anniversary was suitable for a commemorative coin because the reform establishes a clear link between the development of political participation, the history of the Consell General and its historic meeting place.