Political rumours and allegations of staff bullying within the Contern municipality have claimed another political casualty with the resignation of the town's mayor, Marion Zovilé-Braquet.

During a late-evening council meeting, Ms Zovilé-Braquet announced her resignation after two decades in local politics, eight of them as mayor. A formal letter of resignation has been submitted to Grand Duke Guillaume.

The outgoing mayor stated that she did not wish to cling to her position or hinder the municipality’s work. The CSV (Christian Social People’s Party) politician attributed her decision in part to the LSAP (Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party), blaming the party at the national level for the earlier departure of LSAP alderwoman Stéphanie Ansay, who stepped down in mid-July.

According to Ms Zovilé-Braquet, the LSAP’s main motive was to protect its own representative from political criticism. RTL sources report that the DP (Democratic Party), LSAP, and the Greens (Déi Gréng) have reached an agreement to form a three-party coalition, leaving the CSV – with its five councillors – in opposition.

The new mayor is expected to be Dali Zhu, the top candidate on the DP list in the 2023 local elections. The incoming coalition in Contern will hold a narrow majority of six seats.

For the time being, Ms Zovilé-Braquet will continue to serve as acting mayor until the new coalition formally takes office, with a swift agreement between the DP, LSAP, and the Greens anticipated in the coming days.