Having spent the past two years at the Ministry of Finance, Backes has taken on the responsibilities of Mobility, Public Works, Defence, and Gender Equality in the latest government.
Before venturing into politics, Backes served as the Court Marshal at the Grand Ducal Court, where she initiated a “very important” reform. Speaking to RTL Radio, she admitted that she might have continued in that role had the government not approached her and that she still follows the latest developments at the court.
“I want to go everywhere and see everything and talk to everyone,” Backes expressed, describing herself as hands-on in familiarising herself with new topics. She emphasised the importance of connecting with soldiers in the field, both to understand their work and as a sign of solidarity for those on deployment. According to Backes, Luxembourg plays a vital role in deterrence, necessitating not only financial investments but also “boots on the ground.”
Backes stressed Luxembourg’s role within alliances, stating, “We need NATO.” She revealed ongoing efforts to establish a Luxembourg-Belgium battalion, acknowledging the challenges but emphasising its significance in the NATO context. Backes expressed a serious commitment to fulfilling NATO obligations, noting the progress made in recent years and the need for continued strategic investment.
Backes emphasised the importance of investing money wisely to both fulfil defence commitments and benefit Luxembourg.
Backes is set to launch a new recruitment campaign. Acknowledging the current shortage, Backes aims to position the army as an attractive employer with interesting job opportunities. Notably, the sought-after profiles have evolved, especially with the increasing importance of cyber security.
Despite strides, Backes underscores the necessity for improvement in recruiting women. Presently, women constitute 12% of the Luxembourg army.
Turning to technological advancements, Backes discussed the Luxseosys military satellite. While the project faced controversy due to skyrocketing costs, it is nearing completion and awaits a rocket for launch. Backes anticipates a collaboration with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, projecting a potential launch in 2025.
Addressing recent concerns, Backes responded to the strike procedure initiated by the General Confederation of the Civil Service (CGFP) over the army’s evaluation system. She asserted that the promotion system, deemed essential for evaluating the competences of military personnel, remains intact. Backes emphasised the critical nature of assessing skills in a field where responsibilities can be a matter of life and death. The government, she added, has “absolutely no plans” to abolish the evaluation system.
Backes, continuing the vision of her predecessor François Bausch, intends to uphold the concept of multimodal mobility. Simultaneously, she emphasises the need to promote sustainability and enhance the positioning of digitalisation in the mobility sector. Adapting the transportation offer to current and future needs is a priority for Backes, who envisions a multifaceted approach.
The government’s focus, as outlined by Backes, includes the development of park-and-ride structures, particularly beneficial for cross-border workers. Currently boasting 19,000 spaces, an additional 9,000 are in the works, with Luxembourg also contributing to co-financed projects in neighbouring countries. Backes contemplates the creation of designated lanes on motorways for car pools, acknowledging the importance of analysing how to monitor and potentially sanctioning violations.
Backes advocates for the expansion of train capacities, extension of platforms, and the enhancement of international connections. Recognising the significance of bicycles in the overall mobility landscape, she acknowledges the need for improvements in bicycle parking spaces. Backes plans to initiate new cycle paths while ensuring the completion of those planned by her predecessor.
Highlighting the importance of safety and inclusivity, Backes stresses the need for continued efforts. She notes that, currently, significantly fewer women use bicycles in everyday life compared to men.
Backes anticipates the tram’s operation from Bonnevoie to the new stadium in Gasperich starting this July. Additionally, by the end of the year or the beginning of the next, the completion of two other stations from Kirchberg to Findel Airport is expected.
In her role as the new Minister for Gender Equality, Yuriko Backes expresses concern about the limited representation of women in the government, with only five women currently serving. While acknowledging this disparity, Backes added that one should reflect on the underlying reasons behind the imbalance.
Personally valuing gender-inclusive language, Backes asserts that it’s crucial to move beyond using only male terms. She emphasizes the need for addressing the entire spectrum of society.
Considering the potential scenarios arising from Xavier Bettel’s mention as a possible candidate for the EU Council Presidency, questions arise about Yuriko Backes’ future roles. In response, Backes emphasises that, at the moment, such considerations do not apply. While expressing satisfaction about Bettel’s potential candidacy, Backes hopes he remains in Luxembourg politics, emphasising her desire for a stable, long-term commitment: “I would also like to do a job for five years and not just for a short time,” she stated.
