Jill Goeres, the outgoing mayor of Bech, addressed the circumstances of her departure in an interview with our colleagues from RTL Radio on Tuesday morning.
In 2023, at the age of 20, Goeres was sworn in as Luxembourg’s youngest mayor in the small eastern municipality. Her term ended abruptly last December, however, when she lost a vote of confidence from the municipal council.
During the interview, Goeres dismissed the accusations that led to the vote. She asserted that she had not neglected her duties and had been deeply committed to the role.
Goeres noted she returned to council meetings just two to three weeks after giving birth. She also countered claims of inadequate political engagement, stating she had invited councillors to working groups and discussions, but some did not attend.
Goeres attributed her removal to persistent opposition from a bloc of four councillors in the nine-seat council, which she said had existed since her election. The executive board (“Schäfferot”) ultimately fell when one member switched sides. She acknowledged the challenge of transitioning from the frequent meetings of the executive to the council’s monthly schedule.
Despite the outcome, Goeres stands by her political decisions and does not regret her time in office. “It was a very exciting time”, she said, during which she gained significant experience. She added that she has since joined the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV).
While the new mayor of Bech, Max Pesch, has yet to be sworn in – leaving Jill Goeres technically in office – she is withdrawing from the municipal council and relocating to northern Luxembourg, where her husband is politically active. She confirmed she is not closing the door on politics permanently, though her current priorities lie elsewhere.
Reflecting on her tenure, Goeres noted that women often face greater pressure to prove themselves in local politics. She highlighted the lack of formal parental or maternity leave for elected officials, making a supportive partner and family essential.
Citing figures from the 2023 local elections, where 39% of candidates were women but only 34% won council seats, she pointed to a gender gap that widens with seniority. Only 25% of municipal executive board members are female, and just 18 of Luxembourg’s 100 municipalities currently have a female mayor.
“This shows that there is still room for improvement”, Goeres observed, “and that the higher the position, the fewer women you find.”
