Minister Joëlle Welfring was first asked about the court case involving her predecessor, the Greens’ Carole Dieschbourg, saying: “I think it is regrettable how things played out, both as a citizen and as a human being.” She was unwilling to comment any further.
The Minister confirmed that she will run in the upcoming Chamber elections, to be held in October 2023, and acknowledged that there is still a lot to do until then. She will therefore aim to prioritise the projects that are part of the current coalition agreement, from the forest laws to the national climate and energy plan, and the new waste disposal laws.
The Green politician conveyed that in light of the growing time pressure, she has been forced to recruit additional personnel to join her at the Ministry. Nevertheless, she praised the existing team members for their relentless efforts and noted that their expertise was a reason for her to accept the position in the first place.
Another priority on Minister Welfring’s agenda will be the ongoing energy transition and making sure that people are not left behind. She explained that housing is affected and that a new set of financial aid has therefore been set up.
Minister Welfring denied accusations that the Ministry for the Environment tends to block economic opportunities. She stressed that there is a proper legal framework to protect the environment and that concerned parties need to be informed about those as early as possible. If they know the rules, they are able to adapt their projects, she concluded.
