The Facts, An Image and Our Assessment
The Facts
Contributors: Max Arend, Gordon Braun, Frank Colabianchi, Pit Colabianchi, Gabriella Damjanovic, Frank Demuyser, Youri De Smet, Marc Lang, Patrick Michels, Roger Miller, Francine Moro, Nadine Philippe, Monique Smit-Thijs
The year 2022 was a turning point for the DP. That is where we must begin. The DP carousel began to spin. Frank gave up the mayoral post, became honorary mayor, and remained, being truly indispensable, on the municipal council. Monique became mayor. Patrick, then the second alderman, was disappointed and resigned. Youri became the first alderman. Frank D. was offered the other alderman post — a role he had been previously deemed unfit for. He accepted; it was a dream come true. Loyal and quiet, Francine stepped in.
2023: Against expectations, Monique won a strong election victory and secured an absolute majority. She was pleased and had every reason to be proud. She was fully aware of the burdens that lay ahead, but submitted to the voters’ will and the majority of her party, forming a new alderman council with Youri and honorary mayor Frank. The opposition could only watch the carousel and reacted in varying ways to Monique’s charm and winning smile.
2024: Max left the council to change careers. Gordon declined to serve again, despite a good electoral result. Pit was blocked due to his father’s current role in the council. This opened the door for candidate number 10: Nadine Phil. entered with her characteristic energy.
2025: The carousel spun faster; more surprises followed — not all pleasant for the DP. Monique resigned due to overload, no longer able to meet family obligations. She remained on the council, likely soon as honorary mayor. As the first woman to serve as mayor in Bertrange, her place in the commune’s history is secured. Her early resignation suddenly threatened to cause a major crisis. A new alderman council had to be formed. The opposition demanded this take place in a fully transparent public session. The DP refused — she knew why, the opposition later also understood. Youri became mayor, Frank C. stayed, and Marc L., in fifth place, became an alderman. Frank D., who ranked fourth, was left out. He did not attend the next public meeting. The DP acted swiftly, not waiting for Frank D.’s decision. They invited “Déi Gréng” onto the carousel — and these accepted. The DP’s offer was too tempting, and the fear of new elections too strong. Roger and Gaby amicably left the opposition ranks, for which they had just recently advocated unity. On Friday, May 30, an official statement was sent to the press: the DP had formed a coalition with “Déi Gréng.” Youri cited “irreconcilable differences.” Frank D. felt “sidelined” and “humiliated.” He could not understand the decision and voiced a serious concern: “maybe someone in a wheelchair is inconvenient.” An insurmountable chasm is now opening up.
Our Assessment
The developments of the past three and a half years show that the DP has not lived up to the responsibility granted by its absolute majority. The party was overwhelmed. The formation of a coalition is a clear admission and speaks volumes. We had already observed a political standstill. Given the documented carousel of shifting roles, this comes as no surprise. Successful political work requires team stability. Constant changes benefit neither sports teams nor politics.
Voters must ask themselves whether a one-party rule — as some citizens have described it — truly serves the community’s best interest. Even the new mayor admitted: “The idea of bringing in a partner had existed for some time.”
Bertrange now has a young mayor and two new, largely inexperienced aldermen. The DP’s candidate pool is nearly depleted. It’s understandable that both former mayors remain on the council. However, the new mayor faces a dilemma: on the one hand, he needs the advice of his predecessors; on the other, he must free himself from their influence to lead a new political course. Moreover, the previous DP–Déi Gréng coalition was not a model of effective cooperation. The Greens are taking a considerable risk.
The opposition has shrunk in numbers. For us as CSV, this means we face a greater challenge. Our motto will be: fair as always, but tougher in the matter! The DP and now also Déi Gréng are our rivals. We will judge them by their coalition program — which we eagerly await — and especially by their concrete actions. Still, we recognize that they, like us, are elected representatives. We will maintain a respectful tone and critically, constructively evaluate all proposed projects. In full democratic spirit, we will fulfill our opposition role in the interest of the community, monitor the new majority, present our own proposals, and provide impetus. We will continue to offer trustworthy cooperation to Yolande Schuster (LSAP). We will maintain our dialogue with the citizens, listen to their concerns, and give a voice especially to those who too often go unheard by the alderman council.
The CSV Group
Nadine Schares, Guy Weirich, and Marc Rauchs