The trio included Liz Braz from the Luxembourg Socialist Labour Party (LSAP), Luc Emering from the Democratic Party (DP), and Ben Polidori from the Pirate Party.
Braz emphasised the importance of amplifying the voices of young people while seeking guidance from others. Emering concurred but stressed the need to avoid arrogance towards older generations, for instance regarding labour issues. Meanwhile, Polidori expressed his commitment to acquiring a substantial background knowledge base while at the same time reevaluating established political approaches.
Braz and Polidori urged the government to initiate a comprehensive tax reform within the first 100 days. Meanwhile, Emering stressed the need to streamline procedures related to nature conservation and housing.
As young people in politics, the three MPs expressed a strong sense of support from their respective parties.
During the roundtable discussion, climate change and the energy transition were among the main topics. The consensus reached was that further efforts were necessary, while acknowledging previous political missteps.
Braz stated that it was true that people need to “wake up” and change their habits, but that politicians had created a sentiment of excessive restriction. Even if that was not actually the case, it was perceived as such and this would have to change, according to Braz.
Polidori expressed regret that subsidies, such as those for photovoltaic systems, often benefit only those who can front the financial resources for such projects. During the election campaign, the DP pledged to rectify this issue, with Emering, a member of the relevant task force, expressing optimism about its implementation.
Emering highlighted the advantage of renewable energies, which can partially fund themselves, allowing the state to potentially fully finance photovoltaic systems. The revenue generated from selling the electricity to the grid during the repayment period could be used to pay off the system, with residents assuming ownership of the system at the end. This approach would aim to support those who wish to proactively address climate concerns but lack the financial means, Emering explained.
The new DP MP criticised the procedural aspects, citing instances where civil servants had “questioned the rule of law” with certain interpretations, especially in matters related to nature conservation. He proposed shorter deadlines and greater adherence to the principle of proportionality in the future.
Braz stated that she worries and sometimes feels a certain sense of helplessness while following international crises, such as the wart in Ukraine or the escalations in the Middle East, from Luxembourg. Polidori emphasised the need for collective efforts to assist those in need, particularly refugees, noting that, “if we lived in a place where bombs were falling from the sky, I think we would try and get away from it too.”
Two weeks ago, the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the LSAP, Jean Asselborn, announced restrictions on the accommodation of refugees. Braz defended this decision on Saturday, arguing that “everything that was possible” had been done:
“There is no doubt that we now face a difficult situation and have to recognise that we have to make a small change of course in refugee policy and especially asylum policy, even if it is tragic,” Braz said.
Emering shared the sentiment that enough had been done to increase capacity for refugees in recent years.
