Déi Lénk (The Left) staged a small protest in Esch-sur-Alzette on Saturday to draw attention to the issue of vacant properties. The demonstration centred on a building on Avenue de la Gare, in the heart of the city, which has stood unused for ten years despite being owned by the state.

The Esch branch of The Left described the situation as scandalous at a time when many people, particularly young residents, are struggling to find somewhere to live. It called on the government and local authorities to work together on concrete solutions, arguing that the building is symbolic of the wider problem of vacant housing across Luxembourg.

According to Leonie Goskowski, co-spokesperson for Déi Lénk Esch, the property contains 12 bedrooms and was originally built to house foreign workers before later being used as a residential centre.

"After ten years of vacancy, something clearly needs to happen", she said. The building would require extensive work, including energy-efficiency renovations, before it could be brought back into use, she noted.

Goskowski added that almost 10% of properties in Esch were currently vacant. She argued that making better use of this housing stock could provide enough homes for those on waiting lists for affordable accommodation and others currently searching for somewhere to live.