During an information session last Thursday, Bettendorf Aldermen Andy Derneden and Lucien Kurtisi accused the municipalities of Diekirch, Ettelbruck, Erpeldange-sur-Sûre, and Schieren of excluding Bettendorf from merger negotiations over a supposed demand for increased financial support from the Finance Ministry.
The aldermen notably criticised that Bettendorf was excluded when the other municipalities established merger task forces during summer last year.
Same as the mayors of the Diekirch, Ettelbruck, and Schieren, Claude Gleis, Erpeldange-sur-Sûre Mayor and Nordstad spokesperson, has rebuked this criticism as a lie, pointing to a meeting held between the five mayors last summer where discussions regarding the Nordstad merger were to be kickstarted. According to Gleis, Bettendorf Mayor Patrick Mergen at the time clearly encouraged the other four municipalities to go forward with negotiations, noting that they would prefer to wait until September for a decision from the Bettendorf municipal council.
Gleis further stated that he was unaware whether Mergen consulted with the Bettendorf’ executive council before his statement during the meeting. While Gleis sharply criticised the statements made during the information session, considering that they erode the basis of trust between the municipalities, he also emphasised that decisions made by the Bettendorf municipal council are always recognised and that Bettendorf was never pressured to make a decision with regard to the Nordstad merger.
On 23 March, Bettendorf will hold a consultative referendum on whether or not to re-enter merger negotiations.
