Barbara Agostino, a daughter of Italian immigrants, former national team footballer, crèche manager, and now an entrepreneur in the fairground industry, has recently been sworn in as a Member of Parliament.
In an interview with our colleagues from RTL Radio on Wednesday, she shared her political aspirations and the issues that matter to her.
Expressing her commitment, Agostino states, "my primary ambition is to do a good job until the next elections." As a representative of the Democratic Party (DP), she acknowledges the limited time available before the summer recess in the Chamber of Deputies to leave her mark.
Drawing from her experience in football, she compared her situation to being a substitute player who must be ready to enter the game at any moment. Despite joining "in the 89th minute," she believes she can actively participate in policy matters until "the end of the game" in October.
'We need a shift in mindset regarding mobility'
Agostino will serve briefly on three parliamentary committees: Housing, Climate, and Mobility, with the latter being particularly close to her heart. Concerning mobility, she stressed the need for a shift in mindset.
While she is herself a fan of speed and beautiful cars, she believes that society needs to let go of the idea that a car is a sign of social success, as she experienced throughout her youth.
On the contrary, "we need to create better connections for trains so that people enjoy taking them again." In her view, trains should not be less comfortable and more expensive than air travel. Such changes are "indispensable" for progress, according to the new MP.
Regarding her future political endeavours, Agostino is open to accepting a position on the DP list for southern Luxembourg if asked. She also envisions the possibility of assuming a role in the next government should the DP be part of it and if it aligns with the voters' and party's decision.
In a recent interview on Chamber TV, Agostino readily admitted that the Ministry of Education would be her "dream."
Agostino highlighted her longstanding commitment to fighting for minorities, a cause she has "championed since childhood." This is also why she believes it is essential for fairground workers to have representation in Luxembourg.
Hovelange crèche controversy
Agostino found herself making rather negative headlines in 2019. At the time, she held responsibility for overseeing 19 crèches nationwide, including one in Hovelange within the municipality of Beckerich.
Construction work at the Hovelange crèche came to a halt due to the felling of trees without the necessary compensatory measures. Agostino expressed her attempts to seek clarification on the matter by reaching out to the public prosecutor's office in Diekirch on three separate occasions.
She stressed the importance of accountability, stating that if she had indeed caused harm to a biotope, she should face appropriate consequences. However, as of June 2023, no final decision has been reached regarding the case.
From Green Party to DP
Agostino's political journey began in the 2005 municipal elections in Pétange under the Green Party banner, encouraged by her wife, Green Party MEP Tilly Metz.
Agostino initially found it challenging to differentiate between parties, but upon scrutinising their programmes, she gravitated towards the DP, considering it the party that resonated most with her values.
Her self-employment in 2011 further solidified her alignment with the DP, leading her to obtain her party card in 2013.
While her wife is an environmentalist and she more of a liberal, Agostino notes that this does not really pose a problem in everyday life. "As I said to the Grand Duke four years ago, when we're lying down, we don't talk about politics anymore," she humorously shared during her RTL Radio interview.
While the political couple engages in "spirited discussions" from time to time, Agostino stated that their contrasting perspectives "enrich" their lives and she appreciates having a partner with extensive political involvement.
