Nadine Braconnier, aged 39, is set to take over as mayor of Käerjeng after her husband, Michel Wolter, decided to step down from the role he has held for sixteen years. Braconnier, who currently serves as president of the local Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) section, was the fourth-elected candidate on the CSV list. She will assume the mayoral post because the three higher-ranked candidates have each announced their resignations from their local political mandates. Michel Wolter made the decision to resign before last year’s municipal elections.
In the interim period, current alderman Frank Pirrotte will serve as acting mayor until Braconnier is formally sworn in as mayor by the municipal council, and the decision is officially appointed by the Grand Duke. The process is expected to conclude by mid-May.
Frank Pirrotte, who has been a leading figure in Käerjeng’s local politics for nearly forty years, will also retire from his positions as alderman and councillor on 1 October next year. The CSV currently holds an absolute majority in the commune, with eight of 15 council seats, and governs in coalition with the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP).
When news of the planned succession was announced in December, strong and at times personal reactions surfaced on social media. In response, Braconnier expressed her hope that in the years ahead she will be evaluated based on her work, rather than her gender, appearance, or family situation.
Michel Wolter, aged 63, is among Luxembourg’s most well-known politicians. Although he is leaving municipal politics, he will continue to serve as an MP for the southern constituency and as vice-president of the Chamber of Deputies. On Thursday morning at 8am, the former CSV minister and outgoing mayor appeared live on RTL.
