New CSV, DP and Greens coalition in Esch/Alzette

After 16 days of speculation it is now official, Georges Mischo of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) will be new mayor in Esch/Alzette and will soon replace Vera Spautz of the Luxembourgish Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP).

The report came shortly after 8pm on Tuesday: the CSV and the Democratic Party (DP) had concluded their negotiations. The Greens' decision was still missing, but that did not take too long either. At 8.30pm, the decision was already made: the Greens are on board and there will soon be a three-party coalition in Esch/Alzette. 

The mayor will be Georges Mischo. The aldermen will be André Zwally (CSV), Martin Kox (Greens) and Pim Knaff (DP). One of the alderman post will be split between Mandy Ragny (Greens) who will hold the position during the first half of the mandate period. Thereafter, François Maroldt (CSV) will take over.

For all the three parties, the coalition vote was unanimous. While this was not a big surprise for the CSV and the DP, the outcome of the Greens vote was somewhat more uncertain as there had been discussions within the party before.

Jean Huss, co-founder of  the Greens, announced on the weekend that his membership in the Esch section was to be terminated in protest against the coalition with the CSV.

Historic change

This is a historic change in Esch. This had already become obvious on election night. The CSV had risen -- somewhat unexpectedly -- to the strongest party in the commune and with Mischo, also had the candidate with the most votes. The LSAP lost three seats. 

The CSV quickly started talks with the Greens and the DP. Now the new team is waiting for their swearing in by the interior minister. After this, a first council meeting will take place with the new coalition. 

For the time being, however, the three parties will take a moment to breathe. The historical moment was then also celebrated on Tuesday evening in a newly re-opened café in Esch. 

(By Nicolas Anen, Diana Hoffmann, translated from German by Barbara Tasch)