MP Liz Braz of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP) has criticised the government’s handling of proposals to introduce unisex toilets in new secondary schools, saying poor communication had fuelled public backlash and exposed internal tensions within the governing coalition. Speaking on RTL Radio on Friday morning, Braz said the announcement of pilot unisex toilet projects, revealed as a reaction to two parliamentary petitions on LGBTIQ+ issues in schools, appeared sudden and insufficiently explained.
There was clearly a communication problem, she said, adding that measures intended to address how LGBTIQ+ topics are handled in schools were overshadowed by the toilet debate. She said it was striking that the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) had publicly distanced itself from the plan, despite being coalition partners with the Democratic Party (DP).
The proposals were announced by DP ministers Claude Meisch and Yuriko Backes, and would see fully enclosed individual cubicles replacing traditional gender-segregated facilities in some newly built schools. While the concept functions well in some Scandinavian countries and is supported by research, public acceptance in Luxembourg remains understandably low, Braz noted.
Beyond education policy, Braz also raised serious concerns about governance at the University of Luxembourg, where allegations of workplace dysfunction and bullying have been made. She welcomed the decision to conduct an audit but questioned its independence, noting that it is being commissioned by the university itself.
Given the gravity of the accusations, the ministry should have taken the lead, Braz said, arguing that the issue could not be dismissed as isolated cases. She compared the situation to past institutional scandals – like the Waringo report on workplace issues in the Grand Ducal Palace – which only revealed their scale after external investigations.
Braz further warned that the controversy risks damaging the university’s reputation at a time when a strong higher education sector is crucial for Luxembourg’s economic and strategic development.
Asked about internal criticism within the LSAP, including remarks by former party manager Ben Streff that some MPs lack visibility, Braz acknowledged the concerns but said different approaches to political work can be equally effective. She pointed to strong polling results for politicians who focus on policy dossiers rather than public appearances.
Braz also ruled out, for now, a bid for the party leadership alongside MP Georges Engel, following the announcement that current co-leaders Francine Closener and Dan Biancalana will step down. She said her priority over the next two years is her parliamentary mandate.
“I don’t want to rush things”, the 29-year-old said, adding that she would consider a leadership role only if the timing felt right.
On the recent resignation of minister Georges Mischo over the sports museum project, Braz rejected claims that the issue had been fought on a personal level. She said the parliamentary scrutiny was based solely on documented procedural concerns and fell squarely within the Chamber’s oversight role.
Braz said she is awaiting further documents and legal opinions linked to the project, including clarification on when the finance ministry was informed. While she supports the idea of a national sports museum in principle, she questioned whether a €30 million project is realistic under current budgetary constraints.
