The role of a youth party is to “examine problems from a young person’s viewpoint”, according to Molitor, and criticism should be expressed “in a constructive and scandal-free manner”. On Wednesday morning, the co-president of the Young Socialists sat down for an interview with our colleagues from RTL Radio.
The 25-year-old rejected the criticism that the youth sections of Luxembourg’s political parties are “too well-behaved.” Molitor highlighted the distinctions between the Young Socialists and the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP), particularly regarding the right to vote for foreign residents.
The junior politicians advocate for a more progressive stance on this policy, arguing that the fact that half of the population is excluded from the democratic process compromises the Chamber of Deputies’ representativeness.
Molitor added that “the circumstances of the 2015 referendum were what they were, but that does not mean that the subject should no longer be discussed.”
In addition, the Young Socialists demand greater involvement of young people in politics. One of their proposals is to have at least one candidate under the age of 35 among the lead candidates in each voting district. “In 2018, ten LSAP candidates were elected directly to the Chamber of Deputies,” Molitor noted, adding: “They were all men, with an average age of 56.”
While the Young Socialists welcome the fact that gender equality within the parliamentary group was still achieved after some of the elected men became ministers in the new government, the junior politicians regret the fact that “a generation is missing.” According to Molitor, “this must not happen again.”
So far, the LSAP has not criticised the proposal of their youth section. In fact, some senior party members have supported the idea, said Molitor. It is now up to the Young Socialists to “convince those who still need to be convinced,” according to the young politician.
The aim of a party’s youth section is to represent “all young people up to the age of 35,” even if the problems of someone aged 25 are different from those of someone aged 35, Molitor explained.
Among the key concerns for young people is the issue of working hour reduction. Molitor expressed disappointment in employers impeding progress on this matter, missing the opportunity to “improve Luxembourg’s appeal as a place to work.”
