Dr Schockmel’s popularity was further cemented during the most recent legislative elections. Securing over 15,000 votes on the Democratic Party (DP) list in the Centre constituency, the medical practitioner secured a seat in the Chamber of Deputies, officially taking office as an MP on Tuesday.
While the hospital was his primary domain until now, the Chamber of Deputies will now serve as his new platform. Dr Schockmel is eager to assume his role as a Member of Parliament, viewing it as a logical progression, given his extensive voluntary public engagement during the pandemic.
He remarked, “I have been actively involved in numerous task forces and committees for many years, so taking up this role in the Chamber of Deputies in matters of public health is a natural continuation.”
The public got to know Dr Schockmel through his informative appearances on RTL Télé, where he explained various aspects of the pandemic, including the intricacies of mRNA vaccines, associated risks, and the kind of protection they offer. However, his patience was tested when the topic of mandatory vaccination arose. Dr Schockmel publicly criticised Minister of Health Paulette Lenert’s department, accusing it of squandering valuable time.
Driven by his intensified engagement with health policy, Dr Gérard Schockmel decided to take the leap into politics. His aspirations extend beyond healthcare and research to encompass broader fields such as higher education and emerging technologies.
“As a former researcher,” he notes, “I have a keen interest in various domains, including biotechnology and environmental sciences, which I’ve followed closely for many years.”
On 24 October, Dr Schockmel was officially sworn in as a Member of the Chamber of Deputies, an arena where debates can sometimes grow intense. His participation in televised discussions during the pandemic demonstrated his willingness to engage in robust debates, underlining his capacity to assert his viewpoint.
He articulates his approach, saying, “What interests me is the validity of an argument and whether there is information that I may not yet be aware of.”
As such, Dr Schockmel can now get to work as an MP for the DP – unless he takes over the Ministry of Health from Paulette Lenert. Dr Schockmel had expressed his interest shortly after the elections.
When questioned about balancing his duties at the hospital, Dr Schockmel stressed the importance of making a thoughtful decision. He does not wish to compromise the quality of his work in either role and expresses his commitment to the Chamber of Deputies: “Through the elections, I have garnered legitimacy, and people have placed their trust in me. I’m going to assume that I’ll focus fully on my responsibilities in the Chamber of Deputies.”
Related
From election setback to unexpected winner: New MP Claire Delcourt puts environment and social justice centre stage27-year-old MP: Liz Braz charts her own path in Luxembourg’s political arenaFull report by RTL Télé (in Luxembourgish)
