The Esch section of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) presented its programme for the municipal elections at a gathering held at the youth hostel in Esch-sur-Alzette on Wednesday.
"Time for new momentum" is the title of the Esch LSAP's programme. Twelve candidates came to support their lead candidate Steve Faltz in presenting the mix of fresh ideas and established principles. The overarching thread of the programme is, "as always," social and generational justice, which is why there is no separate chapter dedicated to these points. The candidates are convinced that they did not lose voters in the last elections in 2017 because of their policies, but because they failed to communicate them effectively.
LSAP launches municipal elections campaign
When questioned about his priorities for Esch, Faltz highlighted housing policy as the primary area of focus. The LSAP Esch aims to expand the municipal housing park from its current 350 homes to 1,500 by 2035. Despite the focus on housing, Faltz initiated his speech by addressing education policy, stressing the importance of equal opportunities for every child.
Key measures outlined in the LSAP's programme for education include a substantial increase in the number of all-day schools from 180 to 500 and ensuring accessibility to every child residing in Esch. In addition, every child from the municipality is to be provided with a place in a drop-in centre (maison-relais).
Other important issues for Esch residents during this election campaign include mobility and safety. Besides the proposal to create safe corridors for active mobility between the neighbourhoods and calm residential areas, the LSAP's programme also features a more innovative point. The party suggests the construction of green parking garages for residents within existing car parks in neighbourhoods. Such a measure would eliminate street parking spaces, allowing for enhanced pedestrian and cyclist amenities.
"Safety and a sense of security are not to be taken lightly," said Steve Faltz. He stressed the need for increased presence of police, municipal agents, and street workers to ensure safety. Faltz believes that the sense of security can be reinforced through better lighting and adaptation of public spaces. "It is time for a bustling, vibrant Esch, leveraging the opportunities offered by its status as a university town," according to the LSAP lead candidate.
The LSAP envisions granting citizens a stronger voice and the ability to contribute their expertise. Through a collaborative analysis, the party wants to identify which products and services the local business community should have and then hire a city manager to implement them.
The goal of the LSAP is to win the elections and govern more effectively than the current executive board (Schäfferot). The candidates particularly criticised the current coalition's handling of the 2023 budget. The LSAP argues that the council "did nothing but make announcements" and allocated excessive funds to infrastructure projects, which they perceive as prioritising aesthetic appeal over functionality, according to Steve Faltz, the LSAP lead candidate in Esch.
