Covid, vaccines, and state of emergency: looking back on a year with many political challenges

An extraordinary year has come to an end and a new one is beginning, in which we all wish for a bit of normality to return. How this normality will be achieved and how long it will take were the central questions in this interview conducted by Caroline Mart.

Covid-19 Vaccine: A good start into the new year 

This week, the first batch of professionals from the health and care sectors were vaccinated. However, it may take some time before a critical mass of the population is through.

The prime minister acknowledged that it may be months before a critical mass of the population is vaccinated, but he hopes to achieve this before the summer holidays - if people agree to be vaccinated.

In January, the deputies will receive information about the next steps of the vaccination campaign. Among other things, they will also get a sort of step-by-step plan, as well as a plan of measures that can be taken in the coming months. However, a pandemic law seems to be a long way from being ready, said the Minister of State.

He also stressed that a pandemic law must be something that, when the pandemic is over, one does not immediately polemicise, which is why one cannot pressure such a drafting process.

Controversial denunciation article for civil servants deleted

Xavier Bettel also explained how the ominous article for civil servants, which is currently in force, was removed from the law by the Chamber Health Commission.

To him, there was an obligation to denounce civil servants that abuse their status and ignore the government's measures. He draws back on the example given by the health minister Paulette Lenert, that someone who is supposed to be in quarantine but decides to go fishing poses considerable problems for the contact-tracing staff. Hence the decision to hold civil servants equally accountable as everyone else.

Improvements planned for the health workforce

If the pandemic has shown anything, it is the importance of having enough staff in the health sector.

With this in mind, there will be a meeting between the government and the nurses' association, Anil, to produce plans for upgrading the profession and its formation. The same is true for doctors. The CGFP is also to meet with Bettel to discuss privatisation tendencies.

Audio in Luxembourgish

A second state of emergency should be prevented

Xavier Bettel and Paulette Lenert had a platform in 2020 and especially during the state of emergency that cannot be compared to normal times. Livestreams were available in every living room on every mobile phone.

During the state of emergency, the government was also able to make all the decisions itself, but the Minister of State does not wish to see a repetition of such events. He would do anything to prevent a second state of emergency.

He emphasises the importance of the involvement of all political bodies in a functioning democracy, which is why he favours diverging opinions that slow down the decision-making process over a state of emergency.

Impact of the pandemic on surveys

The almost permanent presence in the media has also had an impact on polls - but the Minister of Health has done a better job than the Prime Minister.

When asked whether this was a reason for jealousy, Bettel answers that he had no issues with the polls, and even less with  Lenert herself. He states that there is no tension between them that could prevent efficient cooperation.

Audio in Luxembourgish

'Nothing to hide'

In terms of the press' access to information, the prime minister, who also is the Minister of Media, has nothing to hide.
 
At the moment, there seem to be no number retentions. The Ministry of Health communicates to the population and the press on a daily basis. The figures it collects is always transparently reflected in its reports, and weekly reports have always been published. All the measures that were taken also had the studies attached explaining the reasons for the decisions. Bettel thinks that he has nothing to hide because of this. It simply would not in anyone's interest.