Ristretto #Politics
JUNE 2022
6
“We want them to use their right to vote” The advantage of being mayor of the grand duchy’s smallest commune is being able to listen to every citizen’s issues, says Saeul mayor Jean Konsbruck. Mayor since 2019, Konsbruck talks about close-knit communes and the upcoming elections.
Saeul is Luxembourg’s smallest commune in terms of population. What are the challenges? We’re coming close to 1,000 citizens now. Once we reach that threshold, we’ll receive grants from the global endowment fund for municipalities (FDGC). We currently don’t receive anything even if, like every other municipality, we have to support the same infrastructures, among others. The state offers subsidies to merging communes. Is it in Saeul’s plans to fuse with surrounding communes? The previous CSV government wanted to bring the number of municipalities to 60 so that there would be full-time mayors and a third chamber could be set up. As has been the case with the Helperknapp merger, you can see where the problem lies: suddenly a commune gets too large. [In Saeul] you still know the people; you know their issues. You can really provide tailored answers to their needs. With big communes, there’s no unity in large communes anymore. Children have to go to a central school, for example, and then don’t have local friends anymore because their friends are spread across several villages. In 2019, 25% of Saeul’s population were non-nationals. How do you facilitate their integration into the community? We have 33 nationalities in our commune and put a lot of importance on association life. People approach newcomers anyways, but, unlike other municipalities--which organise the traditional drink for new residents--we organise a summer festival with the commune’s different associations. That’s how you get to know people, and people regularly ask about when we’ll set up another one. We also participate in the ‘fête des voisins’ [neighbourhood party] initiative.
What about those who don’t speak Luxembourgish? Most people speak French or a little bit of English, so it still works out. We try to adapt and get through to people. It’s important. The elections are coming up next year. Where are the challenges in organising the vote and including foreign inhabitants? Saeul works a lot with the canton of Redange, collaborating as 10 communes. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to offer a number of services to residents. We’re also launching a campaign to encourage people to put their name down on communal lists. We distribute flyers and set up information sessions. Our communes want people to participate in communal elections. Many don’t because they’re not interested, or they don’t dare to, because of the language barrier, etc. We do try as a canton--because it’s an issue in the entire country--to motivate all residents to join, so long as they meet the legal requirements, of course. We want them to use their right to vote. That’s the most important part in a democracy. It’s a democratic right to use your vote. Interview TRACY HEINDRICHS Photo ROMAIN GAMBA
Jean Konsbruck believes in doing politics for residents, not a party
