Wilmes, the incoming Minister of the Environment, Climate, and Biodiversity, argued that public servants at the Ministry conduct their work in a professional and politically neutral manner, contrary to what Prime Minister Frieden recently suggested in a conversation with RTL. Wilmes further expressed his belief that they will continue to do so while laying out his priorities for the new legislative period.
One of the main goals over the next five years, according to Wilmes, will be to accelerate the rate of construction in Luxembourg. He stressed that faster procedures do not stand in the way of environmental protection and assured MPs that legislation will be in accordance with European rights.
Following the presentation, opposition parties lamented discrepancies between the statements made by Frieden and Wilmes. MP Joëlle Welfring, the former Environment Minister from The Greens, voiced concerns over the priorities of the new administration despite acknowledging that Wilmes assured them that environmental protections in building zones would not be abolished.
The Left MP David Wagner expressed pity for Wilmes’ new position, saying that the politician would now forced to implement the imprudent and demagogic campaign of Luc Frieden.
Another urgent issue for the new administration will be the temporarily raised subsidies for photovoltaic installations, a measure set to expire on 31 December. According to Wilmes, the government is considering expanding the support beyond this deadline, a matter that he thinks can also be regulated in retroactive manner.
On Wednesday, the government council will discuss the subsidies, Wilmes said.
