In November, the Government Council decided that municipal laws should be amended to introduce several changes. One of these concerns the creation of a code of ethics for elected municipal representatives.
Although the Association of Luxembourg Cities and Municipalities (Syvicol) had originally called for such a measure, the proposal currently on the table goes too far in some respects, according to the association. This was one of the main takeaways from its committee meeting on Monday.
The aim is to establish clearer rules for local elected officials on what is acceptable and what is not, whether receiving a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of wine, or involvement in an association. However, the draft prepared by the Ministry for Home Affairs has triggered strong reactions and criticism among members of the Syvicol committee.
Syvicol president Emile Eicher said the municipal code of ethics should be aligned with the one used in the Chamber of Deputies, but should not go further. In particular, he criticised the proposal that local elected officials should have to declare to which associations they belong, arguing that this concerns their private lives and that such declarations are not required for MPs.
Eicher said the proposed limit of €150 for gifts would be acceptable, as it mirrors the rules applying to MPs. However, he objected to the detailed reporting requirements that would accompany it.
According to Eicher, the idea that local representatives would have to keep a list of who gave them which gift, at what time, and what the estimated value was might be excessive. If a gift is clearly worth less than €150, such declarations would be unnecessary, he argued, adding that ordinary gestures such as a bouquet of flowers or a bottle of Luxembourg wine would normally fall well below that threshold.
Eicher conceded that more substantial gifts, however, would obviously require caution.
Another topic discussed was proposed changes to political leave for local elected officials, which is expected to increase. Eicher welcomed the proposal, saying it reflects demands previously put forward by Syvicol.
