The news took many people by surprise, but none more than the future Bech mayor herself: Jill Goeres, a 20-year-old student, received the most votes in Sunday's municipal elections with close to 400 ballots cast in her favour.
The small town in the Echternach canton only has 1,261 residents. This means that Goeres automatically becomes mayor, in fact, the youngest one in all of Luxembourg. And for Goeres, approaching the task is all about doing instead of talking: "The idea came to me a couple of months ago and I thought to myself, why talk instead of just doing it? I enjoy working for my municipality, so what is the point of waiting?"
Goeres is not afraid of not being taken seriously due to her young age. She explained that many young people were elected in last week's vote. "So far, feedback has been very positive. Naturally one saw that many people here in town are standing behind me. ... I hope it continues like that", noted Goeres.
Thus far, the student had not been politically active. Following her victory on Sunday, several parties have contacted her to congratulate her. However, Goeres remains focused on life in her municipality, most notably the local clubs and associations in which she already has an active role.
"I am mainly active in the 'Bech Youth'. But also in other clubs in the area, such as the Grevenmacher Young Farmers. I am also a board member of the Echternach and Grevenmacher Bee Club. I also recently joined the Bech Singing Club. In general, I like being actively involved in all the local festivities."
Goeres has been practicing beekeeping for the past two years and sells the honey that she collects.
The issue of housing is also crucially important in Bech. As a member of several youth associations, Goeres knows that people are looking for options and she has promised to focus on the subject during her term as mayor. She has one more year to finish her studies, after which she intends to become a primary school teacher.
Given the size of her home town, the mayoral tasks usually take up one to two work days a week.
