The choice of the DP – or more precisely of the new Deputy Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel – to entrust Claude Meisch with the heavy ministerial responsibilities of Education, Housing and Regional Planning continues to raise concerns.
Taina Bofferding, the now leader of the parliamentary opposition, notes, not without irony, that it is strange that one of the largest projects in the country will be taken care of by a “part-time minister” while Tourism inherits two ministers, with Lex Delles, supported by the neophyte Eric Thill.
Sam Tanson, the leader of déi gréng in the House, draws the same observation. The former Minister of Housing (2018-2019) did not hesitate to attack head-on, Thursday evening, during a televised debate on RTL, the leader of the DP faction on this very unequal distribution of jurisdiction.
Gilles Baum quickly found his back against the wall, and, visibly uncomfortable, stated that in view of the important reforms already underway in Education, Claude Meisch could move into day-to-day management in this key ministry, and free yourself, thus, to devote yourself more to Housing.
These are not exactly the words used by the drafted Liberal MP, but he joins an argument similar to that of Xavier Bettel.
The principal concerned responds that he feels perfectly capable of taking on this triple task. In any case, the housing issue would be a matter for the government as a whole, with close cooperation to be carried out with the Ministers of Finance, Environment and Home Affairs as a priority.
The Liberal minister would be mainly in charge of the construction of state affordable housing. The private investors and promoters aspect would rather be the responsibility of Christian-social ministers. This approach seems far from the coherent policy that the new Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, intends to pursue.
Furthermore, it is too simplistic to think that Claude Meisch could really withdraw from Education. Reforms must be implemented (for example literacy in French) and a real dialogue with those on the ground must be re-established.
In view of all these observations, there is a major risk of seeing neither housing nor education move in the right direction.
2023-11-25 05:03:11
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