As initially reported by the Tageblatt newspaper, the initiative for this idea came from the northern municipality, with its neighbour from central Luxembourg displaying interest. A merger in a few years is therefore not out of the question.
The ambition for this merger is most pronounced within Vichten. Plans are in motion to convene multiple discussions with their Bissen counterparts following the summer holidays, fostering a conducive environment for prospective developments.
Anticipating a significant step, Vichten is contemplating the organisation of a parallel referendum alongside the European elections scheduled for 9 June 2024. The referendum would aim to gauge citizens’ sentiment towards a potential merger and, if favourably received, identify the preferred municipal partner. The local authorities in Vichten remain open to alternative merger scenarios beyond Bissen, such as Colmar-Berg or Mertzig. However, the latter’s interest in such an arrangement appears to be lukewarm at best.
Vichten’s Mayor Luc Recken emphasised the evident advantages that could arise from a merger, such as a noteworthy increase in combined population to nearly 5,000 residents. This size would grant the unified municipality heightened influence, creating the opportunity for more ambitious projects and a more comprehensive range of offerings for residents, Recken argues.
Beyond the scope of enhanced influence, the consolidation could ameliorate staffing challenges and yield favourable financial implications. Notably, previous instances of municipality mergers have been accompanied by financial incentives, providing €2,200 for the first 2,000 inhabitants and €1,000 per subsequent resident.
Responding to Vichten’s initiative, Mayor David Viaggi of Bissen stated that while he was “a little surprised” by the proposal, he does not see any reason not to go through with it.
Viaggi highlighted practical advantages, particularly the optimised use of investments in vehicles and infrastructure. For instance, a shared territory could lead to more efficient deployment of resources, such as a sweeper utilised five days a week instead of three.
Viaggi remained cautious about committing to a specific timeline, as the project would have to be discussed in the municipal council first. The Mayor of Bissen also stated that it remains to be seen how feasible conducting a merger referendum concurrently with the European elections would be.
While Recken refrained from offering a definitive stance on the question of district affiliation, Viaggi expressed a preference for the Centre district.
With regard to the electoral system, it is the other way around. Viaggi from the municipality of Bissen, which employs the proportional representation system, remains undecided. In contrast, Recken advocates for a transitional phase during which Vichten’s residents could continue casting their votes according to the first-past-the-post system.
Full report by RTL Télé (in Luxembourgish)
