Antoni Martí facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Antoni Martí
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Martí in 2014
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| Prime Minister of Andorra | |
| In office 1 April 2015 – 16 May 2019 |
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| Monarch | Episcopal co-prince : French co-prince : |
| Representative | Episcopal :
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| Preceded by | Gilbert Saboya Sunyé (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Xavier Espot Zamora |
| In office 12 May 2011 – 23 March 2015 |
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| Monarch | Episcopal co-prince :
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| Representative | Episcopal :
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| Preceded by | Pere López Agràs (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Gilbert Saboya Sunyé (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 July 1963 Escaldes-Engordany, Andorra |
| Died | 6 November 2023 (aged 60) Escaldes-Engordany, Andorra |
| Political party | Democrats for Andorra |
| Spouse | Lidia Baez |
| Alma mater | ENSA Toulouse |
Antoni Martí Petit (born July 30, 1963 – died November 6, 2023) was an architect and a politician from Andorra. He served as the Prime Minister of Andorra twice, from 2011 to 2015 and again from 2015 to 2019. He was a member of the Democrats for Andorra party.
Before becoming Prime Minister, Martí was a member of Andorra's parliament, called the General Council of Andorra, from 1993 to 2003. He also served as the mayor (or cònsol major) of Escaldes-Engordany, a town in Andorra, from 2003 to 2011.
As Prime Minister, Antoni Martí made important changes. He reformed Andorra's tax system to make the country more open to international business. He also oversaw a law that allowed civil unions for same-sex couples. He helped reopen the Andorra-La Seu d'Urgell Airport and managed a financial issue involving a bank. Martí also started important talks for Andorra to have a special agreement with the European Union. He signed the agreement that officially brought the euro currency to Andorra.
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Early Life and Career
Antoni Martí Petit was born in Escaldes-Engordany, Andorra, on July 30, 1963. He studied architecture at a school in Toulouse, France. After his studies, he worked as an architect.
Martí first entered politics in 1993. He was elected to the General Council, which is Andorra's parliament. This was the first time political parties were part of the elections in Andorra. He was a co-founder of the Liberal Union party. He was re-elected in 1997 and 2001. The Liberal Union later changed its name to the Liberal Party of Andorra (PLA).
In 2003, Martí decided to run for mayor of Escaldes-Engordany. He won the election and served two terms as mayor, from 2003 to 2011. During his time as mayor, he left the PLA and started his own political group called Unió pel Poble (Union for the People). He is remembered for helping save the Caldea spa resort and protecting the Madriu Valley.
Prime Minister of Andorra
First Term: 2011–2015
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In February 2011, Antoni Martí announced he would run for Prime Minister. He was the candidate for the Democrats for Andorra party. He resigned as mayor of Escaldes-Engordany shortly after.
On April 3, 2011, his party, Democrats for Andorra (DA), won a large majority in the election. They received over 55% of the votes and won 21 seats in the General Council.
Martí officially became Prime Minister on May 11, 2011. He stated that his main goals were to improve Andorra's economy and boost tourism. He also wanted to strengthen Andorra's relationship with the European Union. He was sworn into office the next day.
His government quickly approved several measures. These included making business hours more flexible and reviewing laws about land and taxes. They also worked on reducing costs for self-employed people. His government also focused on following international rules against illegal money activities.
During talks with the European Union, Andorra changed its laws to allow more foreign investment. This helped open up the country's economy. Andorra also signed an agreement with France, Portugal, and Spain to avoid double taxation.
Martí also oversaw the introduction of the euro as Andorra's official currency. An agreement was made in June 2011. Andorra was allowed to issue its own euro coins starting in July 2013. However, due to some delays, Andorran euros did not start circulating until January 2015.
In 2013, Martí met with François Hollande, who was the president of France and a co-prince of Andorra. Martí told him about his plans to introduce a personal income tax in Andorra. Even though he had been against it during his election campaign, he introduced this tax in June 2013 due to pressure from the European Union.
In 2014, his government passed the first law to regulate gambling in Andorra. They also gave out the first license to open a casino.
Second Term: 2015–2019
Antoni Martí and the Democrats for Andorra party won another majority in the 2015 election. Although they lost some seats, Martí was re-elected Prime Minister on March 30, 2015. He was sworn in the next day.
Soon after the election, in March 2015, a financial issue arose with a bank called Banca Privada d'Andorra (BPA). The US Treasury Department raised concerns about the bank's practices. Martí's government acted quickly. They suspended the bank's leaders and appointed auditors to ensure the bank's operations continued smoothly. They also limited money withdrawals for BPA customers temporarily to keep things stable. Martí asked citizens to remain calm and assured them the government was working to protect customers and Andorra's financial reputation.
In February 2016, Martí's government signed an agreement for negotiations on an Association Agreement between Andorra and the European Union. In March 2017, his government approved changes to the law to prevent financial crimes. These changes aimed to ensure fair practices and prevent illegal activities. The General Council adopted these proposals in July.
In October 2016, Martí visited San Marino. He suggested that Andorra, Monaco, and San Marino should work together on their agreements with the European Union.
Following security incidents in Spain in August 2017, Martí offered to strengthen Andorra's police force. He proposed creating a special unit to deal with security threats.
In October 2017, during a political situation in Catalonia, Martí confirmed he had spoken with both sides. He aimed to discuss the situation and encourage a peaceful solution. In May 2018, he called for a "political solution" to end the conflict.
In 2019, during talks for the Association Agreement with the EU, Martí argued for Andorra to keep its system for controlling who can live and work there. In February 2019, some newspapers linked him to claims of receiving illegal payments. Martí denied these claims and took legal action against the newspapers.
For the 2019 elections, Martí chose Xavier Espot as his successor to lead the Democrats for Andorra party. After his party won, Martí was succeeded by Espot as Prime Minister on May 16, 2019.
After Being Prime Minister
After his time as Prime Minister, Antoni Martí left frontline politics. He returned to his work as an architect. In December 2019, he left the Democrats for Andorra party, but he remained a supporter.
In October 2023, Martí was appointed as an observer member for the negotiations of Andorra's Association Agreement with the European Union. This was because he was one of the first leaders to push for closer ties between Andorra and the EU.
Personal Life
Antoni Martí was married to Lídia Báez. They had three children together.
Martí passed away on November 6, 2023, at the age of 60, after a heart attack at his home. The Andorran government declared two days of national mourning. His funeral was held on November 8 in Escaldes-Engordany.
Honors
- Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Agatha (San Marino, 2016)
See also
In Spanish: Antoni Martí para niños
