In 2021, a conflict arose between the municipalities of Vianden and Tandel. Local officials from Vianden accused their counterparts in Tandel of attempting to incentivise the establishment of a pharmacy in the village of Fouhren.
The discussions initially ended when both the Luxembourg Medical Board and the National Health Directorate rejected the proposal, arguing at the time that the area’s population was too small to support two pharmacies. However, recent developments have changed the course, with Minister of Health Martine Deprez giving the project the green light after an intervention by the municipality of Bettendorf.
Tensions were still running high about a year and a half ago between the municipality of Tandel and the Ministry of Health, particularly between then-Mayor Aly Kaes and former Minster of Health Paulette Lenert. Both positions are now held by different individuals, and the new Mayor of Tandel, Carole Gils, introduced a fresh approach. Recognising that Bettendorf was eligible to establish a new pharmacy, Mayor Gils initiated negotiations for a cooperative effort.
The plan involves Tandel and Bettendorf forming a new municipal syndicate, which would merge some municipal services. Both mayors have already discussed the proposal with Minister Deprez and have jointly requested that a pharmacy be included in the new local medical centre project.
According to Mayor Gils, Bettendorf agreed to the plan because it has no immediate plans to build its own medical centre. This arrangement allows the use of existing facilities in Fouhren, where three general practitioners, an osteopath, a physiotherapist, and a laboratory are currently based. The project, which will also add another GP, a pedicurist, and a psychomotor therapist, is expected to cost around €5 million.
The municipality of Tandel envisions the syndicate with Bettendorf extending beyond healthcare. Mayor Gils mentioned the forestry department, local music clubs, and music schools as examples of potential areas for future collaboration.
The creation of this municipal syndicate may come as a surprise, given that Bettendorf is currently engaged in discussions with Diekirch, Ettelbruck, Erpeldange-sur-Sûre, and Schieren about forming a new “Nordstad” municipality. A referendum on this merger is scheduled to take place in the involved municipalities in 2027.
