Luxembourg's ambitious Nordstad merger project has hit another procedural hurdle as participating municipalities deliver split verdicts, with Diekirch voting unanimously to continue talks while Erpeldange-sur-Sûre's council deadlocked in a 4-4 vote.

The proposed Nordstad municipal merger faces continued uncertainty following divergent outcomes in key council votes this week. While Diekirch's municipal council unanimously reaffirmed support for continuing merger talks on Monday, neighbouring Erpeldange-sur-Sûre failed to reach a decision, creating fresh complications for the ambitious urban development project.

The four remaining municipalities – Diekirch, Ettelbruck, Erpeldange-sur-Sûre, and Schieren – must pass a new joint resolution to advance merger discussions following Bettendorf's recent withdrawal from the initiative.

Erpeldange's council meeting resulted in a 4-4 deadlock, with one abstention. Giovanni Ferigo, Claude Gleis, Frank Kuffer, and Léa Schaeffer voted in favour, while Councillors Max Blom, Laurent Lacour, Gilbert Leider, and Carlo Tessaro opposed. Pol Michels abstained, forcing postponement of the final decision until after the summer holidays.

© Marc Hoscheid / RTL
© Marc Hoscheid / RTL
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Should the deadlock persist, Mayor Claude Gleis – who voted in favour – would cast a decisive double vote. Following Monday's session, a visibly disappointed Gleis criticised the council's inability to recognise Nordstad's potential as Luxembourg's third urban centre.

"At the very least, residents deserved the opportunity to decide themselves", Gleis stated, expressing particular disappointment that opponents appeared focused on individual concerns rather than the broader vision. "We missed an opportunity today", he added, acknowledging uncertainty about both his future vote and the project's timeline.

The stalemate raises new questions about the planned 2027 merger referendum, with Gleis admitting the target may now be jeopardised. No date has been set for Erpeldange's next council session, leaving the Nordstad project once again in limbo.