On Sunday, the municipality of Erpeldange-sur-Sûre held a referendum on whether to continue preparations over the next two years for the potential Nordstad merger with Ettelbruck, Diekirch and Schieren.
58.88% of the inhabitants of Erpeldange, Ingeldorf and Burden voted in favour of continuing the merger talks.
After a tied vote in the municipal council, with four votes in favour, four against, and one abstention, the councillors decided to put the question to a referendum.
The yes vote shows their support for further identifying ideas and opportunities of a potential Nordstad merger.
However, the matter can only be finally settled in a second local referendum to be held in 2027.
The municipalities voted as follows:
64% yes in Erpeldange
63% yes in Ingeldorf
56% yes in Burden
Some locals gathered at the football clubhouse to celebrate the outcome. Erpeldange-sur-Sûre mayor Claude Gleis acknowledged that more communication is still needed. He said that it became clear that many residents felt overwhelmed and were not entirely sure what the merger would mean.
Neighbouring municipalities also welcomed the result. Schieren mayor Jean-Paul Zeimes expressed relief, saying the vote validates the hard work that has gone into the project so far. Ettelbruck alderman Jean-Paul Schaaf stressed that the effort was never meant to harm residents’ interests. Diekirch mayor Charles Weiler said the next step is to work on concrete projects and better communicate the added value of a merged Nordstad to the public.
Sunday’s vote was seen as symbolically important for the future of the Nordstad project. After Bettendorf pulled out of talks earlier, many questioned whether the merger concept still had a future, or whether Erpeldange would be the next to drop out. For now, the project stays alive.
RTL-Artikel (17.10.2025): Infoowend am Virfeld vum Nordstadreferendum den 23. November: Zu Bierden ass d’Stëmmung wéinst dem Wandrad zimmlech gereizt
RTL-Artikel (10.07.2025): Neit Kapitel a Saachen Nordstadfusioun: Ierpeldeng organiséiert Enn vun dësem Joer ee Referendum
