Laurent Zeimet, the CSV Mayor of Bettembourg and newly-elected MP, is actively involved in ongoing government coalition negotiations with the Democratic Party (DP). In a recent interview with RTL Radio, Zeimet expressed his views on the organisation of the country's municipalities.
Reflecting on his new role as an MP, Zeimet shared, "I very much appreciated working in the Council of State. But it was clear that if I were elected to the Chamber of Deputies, I would accept this mandate, even if I didn't expect to be directly elected this time."
Notably, this marked his fifth attempt at legislative election and his first direct election to the Chamber of Deputies. The new MP will be sworn in on Tuesday and has therefore resigned from the Council of State.
He will assume his double mandate as MP and mayor and said "we'll see if I'm up for the job." He says he is "open to discussing the meaning and purpose" of double mandates in general.
A municipal police force within the national police force
As part of the ongoing coalition discussions, Zeimet represents the CSV in the Moderne Staat ("Modern State") task force. He could not reveal specific details at this stage, as the task force is scheduled to convene for the first time on Wednesday.
Its primary objective is to "put the electoral programmes of the two parties side by side and see what we can and want to implement together." Notably, both the CSV and DP have outlined the establishment of a municipal police force in their programmes.
According to Zeimet, it should operate within the national police force and not just under the authority of the mayor. This initiative aims to ensure the police's on-ground presence and enhance compliance with communal regulations.
Zeimet pointed out that municipal authorities often encounter difficulties enforcing rules, especially in cases of neighbourhood disputes, where they lack the necessary enforcement capabilities.
Modernising municipalities: "A broader perspective needed"
Zeimet advocated for a rethinking of the current discussion on municipalities. "There are currently 100 communes, with 100 different PAGs [general development plans], 100 different police regulations, and 100 different provisions, which residents need to know and apply. Is this really the modern state of tomorrow?" Zeimet questioned.
The mayor of Bettembourg highlighted the need for a more contemporary municipal law, arguing that "the current law, which dates from 1988, certainly has its merits, but the rules are the same for the municipality of Luxembourg City as they are for the country's smallest locality, the commune of Saeul." Zeimet believes it is time to embrace a more adaptable approach and grant municipalities greater autonomy, provided they meet the requisite size criteria.
The electoral programme of the CSV also calls for amending the population threshold that triggers a shift from a first-past-the-post electoral system to proportional representation. The proposal seeks to increase this threshold from 3,000 to 6,000 inhabitants. Zeimet pointed out that many smaller municipalities face challenges in finding people willing to campaign on party lists.
