Facing the likelihood of entering the opposition, Faltz expressed his views on the LSAP’s electoral performance. The LSAP and the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) engaged in a tightly contested race that continued until the last polling station closed.
The decimal point results fluctuated with each count, but ultimately both parties secured 29.6% of the votes. This represented a 1.7% increase for the LSAP compared to 2017, while the CSV experienced a 1.3% decrease.
Although the LSAP obtained a mere 36 more votes than the CSV, the CSV garnered over 2,000 additional list votes. Both parties obtained six seats in the municipal council, leaving the outcome open to various possibilities.
However, before all the polling stations had been tallied, the previous coalition comprising the CSV, the Green Party (déi Gréng), and the Democratic Party (DP) convened to discuss their joint future. This development has left Faltz with mixed sentiments.
Faltz stated that the LSAP emerged from the elections as winners and that they had ushered in a renewal that the people of Esch have embraced, and the party is “delighted” about that. He emphasised that he refused to let this joy be overshadowed, even though “the current situation might not allow it.”
He expressed his disappointment in the actions of the Green Party in particular, with whom the LSAP shares “approximately 90% of policy proposals.” He had expected more from them and believed that a calm and constructive dialogue could have taken place.
Faltz perceived their actions as a premeditated move, stating “what we saw last night was a set-up.” He viewed this as an example of power politics overshadowing the actual policy agendas.
Georges Mischo, the incumbent and likely re-elected mayor, interpreted Sunday evening’s results as a mandate to continue his mayoral duties. Mischo pointed out that he secured the highest number of personal votes and the CSV received over 2,000 more list votes.
The second round of exploratory talks already took place on Monday morning, amidst a “positive and constructive atmosphere,” according to the CSV politician, who stressed that “stability and continuity” are crucial factors for the future administration.
