On Tuesday morning, Luxembourg City Mayor Lydie Polfer joined our colleagues on RTL Radio to discuss her political future and police in the Grand Duchy's capital.
Mayor Polfer expressed both surprise and satisfaction over her results in the recent 'Politmonitor' survey, which placed her as the country's fourth-most popular politician. Nevertheless, she was unwilling to discuss her political future in the context of the upcoming election year, noting that she has no intention of starting her campaign before 2023: "I still have enough work on my plate."
Mayor Polfer was even unwilling to indicate whether or not she will run in the municipal elections. She explained that it is important for the Democratic Party (DP) to present a strong team and therefore welcomes the addition of the current Minister for Family Affairs and Integration Corinne Cahen, who has expressed interest in running in the capital.
Asked about safety in Luxembourg City, Mayor Polfer noted that although the number of police officers patrolling the Gare district has been increased, more needs to be done. She elaborated that drug crime has simply relocated from Gare to the upper side of town, now affecting Hamilius and the City Park.
The DP politician showed no tolerance for kids being exposed to the remnants of drug users at playgrounds, which is why the City has once again launched a call for a security contractor to cover additional patrols.
Last week, the Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CCDH) published an unfavourable opinion on the draft law that would allow authorities to expel people from public areas, noting that it infringes on the freedom of movement of people with social problems in particular.
Mayor Polfer disagrees with this position: "What does that imply for the freedom of movement of residents who can no longer access their front doors?" She acknowledged that social measures must simultaneously be introduced, which the municipality of Luxembourg City has already done.
City officials are also currently holding town meetings in several parts of the capital to allow residents to voice their concerns. Aside from crime and traffic, which are universal problems, the issues vary from one district to another, explained Mayor Polfer.
For instance, Belair residents are currently faced with a crow problem, which is starting to have sanitary consequences, explained the DP politician. Last week, City officials thus met with Joëlle Welfring, the new Minister for the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development, to discuss potential measures.
