Luxembourg’s Contern municipality is navigating a political shake-up, as DP, LSAP, and Greens discuss forming a new majority in the wake of an LSAP resignation linked to bullying allegations against Mayor Marion Zovilé-Braquet.
The situation in the Contern municipality has grown increasingly unstable. Following allegations of workplace bullying against Christian Social People's Party (CSV) mayor Marion Zovilé-Braquet earlier this year, Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) alderwoman Stéphanie Ansay resigned in mid-July, citing the mayor’s behaviour as the reason. The LSAP has since officially requested the dissolution of the current coalition. Behind the scenes, discussions are underway to form a new majority, likely involving three parties.
These would be the Democratic Party (DP), the LSAP, and the Greens (déi Gréng). The three parties have already met twice and now aim to intensify their talks. If successful, Contern would become the only municipality in Luxembourg with a so-called "Gambia coalition." Although the DP also held two meetings with the CSV, those discussions have now been put on hold.
Dali Zhu, the top candidate on the DP list two years ago, explains the reasoning:
"At first, it was about seeing how we could reach an understanding on a human level and discuss the municipality’s various sticking points. It became clear that the DP committee in Contern saw better prospects for a solid, long-term cooperation with the LSAP and the Greens."
It remains unclear when the coalition talks will conclude. The CSV has stated that it respects the DP’s right to negotiate as it sees fit. For now, all eyes are on whether the blue, red, and green parties can reach an agreement. Mayor Marion Zovilé-Braquet believes that the DP has presented an attractive proposal.
"All negotiations are open. We would start from scratch and craft a new coalition agreement for the next four years – whether that involves sharing the mayor’s office or accommodating other requests. We have put our cards on the table, making it clear that we are ready to continue taking responsibility and see our projects through – with them", she explained.
Zovilé-Braquet suspects that the discussions are driven more by personalities than by policy differences, noting that the CSV and LSAP election programmes from two years ago were almost identical.
A substantive issue for the DP and the Greens is whether to reconsider the project for a new municipal building, or perhaps expand the current town hall instead. Former LSAP alderwoman Stéphanie Ansay commented:
"Every point can be discussed, and through cooperation, conclusions can then be drawn."
When asked if she felt constrained by prior agreements with the CSV, she replied:
"That competition had already taken place in the last term; it was reopened because the winner withdrew, and as mentioned, this is in continuity with what was already underway."
Another important topic is the future organisation of municipal staff. While the DP, LSAP, and Greens have some differences on the number of positions needed, they agree that changes are necessary. Green councillor Jean-Jacques Arrensdorff added that the unions support this approach:
"I personally met with OGBL and LCGB representatives, and both unions fully back our efforts to re-establish social dialogue in the municipality, to restore a normal working environment where people communicate and collaborate effectively."
Even if a new coalition is quickly agreed upon, the CSV-LSAP majority will likely remain in place until the budget is rejected in December. An alternative budget could then be passed, probably early next year.
Finally, Zovilé-Braquet stated that if the CSV ends up in opposition, she would likely resign from the municipal council.
