The resignation of Stéphanie Ansay from Contern’s municipal executive board (“Schäfferot”) on Tuesday evening has sparked mixed reactions and raised questions about the commune’s political future. The executive board now operates with just two remaining Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) members: Mayor Marion Zovilé-Braquet and Yves Loose.
Robert Axmann of the Democratic Party (DP), the largest opposition group, stated his party had anticipated tensions but was stunned by the scale of Tuesday’s contentious meeting. “This didn’t come out of nowhere,” Axmann remarked, though he admitted he had “never experienced anything like this,” noting the unusually high public turnout that spilled into stairwells as evidence of widespread community concern.
With the executive board now “practically non-existent,” the DP questions whether the current structure can endure until year’s end. “We have doubts about that,” Axmann admitted, while emphasising the urgent need for functional governance and his party’s openness to dialogue.
Green Party (Déi Gréng) councillor Jean-Jacques Arrensdorff acknowledged prior awareness of internal tensions within the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP) but called Ansay’s resignation “extremely unfortunate.” He suggested the LSAP must now take initiative, recalling Contern’s 2011-2017 three-party coalition (LSAP-DP-Greens) as a potential model. “Many things are possible,” Arrensdorff said, though he expressed scepticism about reconciliation between LSAP and CSV.
In a decisive Tuesday evening vote, Contern’s municipal council rejected pursuing further legal cases – a move that saw the LSAP break ranks with its CSV coalition partner. LSAP councillor Pol Thomé acknowledged the unusual nature of this decision but denied it constituted a “coup.” He explained his party sought to respect the Court of Appeal’s existing ruling while also avoiding unpredictable costs and outcomes for the municipality.
The Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL) publicly endorsed the cessation of legal action, urging the reinstatement of affected employees and proposing independent mediation to rebuild administrative trust.
The resignation of LSAP executive councillor Stéphanie Ansay marked the latest escalation in a crisis dating to September 2024’s bullying allegations. Ansay, citing emotional exhaustion and a fractured council environment, submitted her resignation to the Ministry of Home Affairs. “Since 29 August last year, it’s only been about getting rid of me,” Mayor Marion Zovilé-Braquet told our colleagues from RTL Radio on Wednesday when questioned about the prolonged conflict.
This development represents the third major phase in a saga that began with workplace harassment claims from two municipal employees. Ansay’s departure leaves the CSV-led coalition increasingly isolated as governing tensions persist.
Mayor Marion Zovilé-Braquet expressed surprise at Ansay’s sudden resignation, describing their two-year working relationship as “very good” and “collegial” without significant tensions. She revealed Ansay had reportedly confirmed her support for further legal action in a message to the executive board earlier on Tuesday – only to vote against it during the evening meeting.
The mayor categorically denied applying any pressure on Ansay, suggesting personal factors including family life and Ansay’s lack of prior municipal experience might have contributed to the decision. “Neither I nor Yves Loose pressured her in any way,” Zovilé-Braquet stated emphatically.
The political crisis originated from bullying claims that led to the controversial dismissal of two municipal employees – a decision later overturned in court. Tuesday’s vote to abandon further legal action came after the commune had already spent €430,000 on the case, including €130,000 in legal fees.
LSAP councillor Pol Thomé indicated his party would reevaluate the coalition’s viability but refused to speculate about potential outcomes. Meanwhile, Zovilé-Braquet maintained her position was being deliberately undermined since August 2024. “It’s disastrous that political games are being played at staff’s expense,” she told RTL, adding, “I fear nothing and have nothing to lose.”
The mayor affirmed her commitment to remain in office, prioritising the restoration of stability within the municipal administration. “My focus now is bringing calm back to our community,” she concluded, as the political fallout continues to unfold.
