The assembly was convened to approve Joëlle Welfring as the successor of former Minister for the Environment Carole Dieschbourg. Welfring, a senior civil servant, had been nominated as successor by the party executive on Wednesday.
Party President Meris Sehović thanked Dieschbourg for her work and visibly struggled to hold back tears. Sehović stressed that the party wants to focus on the future now.
Carole Dieschbourg was given standing ovations by party members. Deputy Prime Minister François Bausch reflected on her career and bemoaned the fact that she had frequently been the object of personal attacks. Despite being “attacked more frequently than others,” voters’ trust in the Green Party has not eroded, according to Bausch.
Welfring joined the party on Wednesday, although she emphasised that her decision to enter politics was “a logical result” of her work. Welfring, who was born in Esch-sur-Alzette, had just been appointed Director of the Environment Agency in March. Her nomination was accepted with 174 out of 175 votes. She will be sworn in on Monday.
