The long-time mayor, state secretary and head of cabinet Paul Helminger from the ranks of the DP died on Saturday at the age of 80. Luxembourg’s political world mourns its longtime companion.
In a first statement on Twitter, DP President Corinne Cahen remembered the former DP greatness. Luxembourg is losing a great politician with years of experience, a lot of commitment and great willingness. Cahen expressed her deepest condolences to Mrs. Karin and the whole family.
I’m really sad about the unexpected death of Paul Helminger. Luxembourg is losing a great politician with a long experience, a lot of commitment and a great availability. Our deepest condolences to Karin and the whole family. @dp_lu @CityLuxembourg pic.twitter.com/vOExO22Dvt
— Corinne Cahen (@CorinneCahen) April 17, 2021
Lydie Polfer, current Mayor of Luxembourg City, has complained in a press release about the death of the Honorary Mayor of Luxembourg City. “During his 12-year tenure as mayor, Mr. Helminger showed great and tireless commitment
Commitment to its capital and its residents used to make the city a strong, modern and flourishing European capital, ”writes the DP politician. “With him, we are not only losing a politician who has significantly influenced the fate of the capital, but also a friend, but also a loyal and warm friend,” continues Polfer and depresses families and friends in his own name and in the name of the lay judge Local council express their heartfelt pity.
Prime Minister Xavier Bettel (DP) also expressed his condolences to the bereaved on Twitter. Luxembourg is losing a devoted politician and, above all, a warm family man.
Extremely sad about the news of Paul Helminger’s death. With him we lose a devoted politician but above all a heartfelt family man who will leave a big hole in many. My thoughts are with the family and all those close to him. pic.twitter.com/z2ARecEgK5
– Xavier Bettel (@Xavier_Bettel) April 17, 2021
Parliamentary President Fernand Etgen (DP) reacted to the sad news on Saturday afternoon. “When I was sworn in in 2007, I was sitting next to Paul Helminger in Parliament. It was a pleasure because I also enjoyed looking up at him, ”Etgen told Tageblatt. Helminger was an experienced politician who also gave him several pieces of advice. The DP politician had an unusual political career behind him, says Etgen. “Most politicians come to state politics through municipal politics. With Paul Helminger that was the other way around and he was an exemplary mayor, ”remembers Fernand Etgen.
DP Finance Minister joined the condolences of his party colleagues. Paul Helminger was his first superior as a young diplomat. He taught him how to make Luxembourg an investor-friendly country. “My whole sympathy goes to his family,” writes Gramegna on his private Twitter account.
Sad that Paul Helminger , former Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs , and my first boss as a young diplomat , passed away so suddenly. He taught me the art of making Luxembourg an open and investor friendly country as it still is today . All my sympathy to his family. PG pic.twitter.com/7XuPGcrsrM
– Pierre Gramegna (@pierregramegna) April 17, 2021
CSV parliamentary group leader Martine Hansen expressed her condolences to family and friends. “Paul Halminger was a good politician and mayor. I remember him kindly and diplomatically. He always had a smile on his face, ”Hansen told Tageblatt.
Claude Wiseler (CSV) also lamented the death of the former state secretary, mayor and head of cabinet. “Paul was a dedicated and efficient mayor who was always respectful and open. I liked working with him, ”said the CSV politician on the social media platform Twitter. “I appreciated his friendship,” said Wiseler.
It is with great sadness that I learned of the news of the death of Paul Helminger.
Paul was an efficient and committed mayor, an open and respected politician. I enjoyed working with him. I appreciated his friendship. My condolences to his family.– Claude Wiseler (@ClaudeWiseler) April 17, 2021
Helminger’s long-time companion from the Luxembourg municipal council Laurent Mosar (CSV) also expressed his condolences. He is deeply saddened by the death of Paul Helminger and likes to think back to “the good times” at the turn of the millennium, when he sat on the local council with Helminger.
Are deeply saddened by the death of Paul Helminger.
Think back to the good times we had together in Staater Schefferoot between 1999-2005.
My deepest condolences to the whole family.– Laurent Mosar (@LaurentMosar) April 17, 2021
LSAP President Yaves Cruchten pointed to the loss for the DP: “The Democratic Party is losing a” thick hair “,” says Cruchten. He had not yet been a Member of Parliament at the time of Helminger, but he had met him on several occasions. “I often disagreed with him, but even then he always treated his fellow human beings well. I remember that very well, ”said the LSAP MP.
LSAP parliamentary group president joined the canon of other politicians. “Paul Helminger was a person who had a lot of recognition across party lines,” said the LSAP politician on Twitter and offended the family.
RIP Paul Helminger. Paul was a nice and kind man who had a lot of recognition across the parties. My condolences to the family.
— Georges Engel (@georges_engel) April 17, 2021
“I got to know Paul as a key player in the steel crisis when the government took the first steps towards industrial diversification,” recalls Mars di Bartolomeo (LSAP) of the late DP politician. “Paul and his team not only helped to set up crisis instruments, but also set the course for the future,” said the LSAP politician. He was a key player in ensuring a stable industry, which was very important for the entire southern region, said Bartolomeo.
“Paul Helminger was a mayor who always had a clear opinion and was shaped by the social-liberal coalition,” says Bartolomeo. After his political career, Helminger remained a relevant economic player. “I was also connected to Paul through family ties,” says Bartolomeo. “A politician with character who could not be accused at any point of not wanting to stand up for his convictions,” Mars di Bartolomeo explains to the Tageblatt.
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