Luxembourg’s Minister for Home Affairs, Léon Gloden, this week confirmed his decision to approve a begging ban in Luxembourg City; the regulation comes into force on Friday 15 December 2023.
Minister Gloden’s predecessor, Taina Bofferding, had previously refused to approve the ban.
The Chamber of Deputies (Luxembourg’s parliament) noted that Minister Gloden confirmed his decision to overturn his predecessor’s decision to the members of the parliamentary committee during the presentation of the coalition agreement concerning one of its three ministerial sections. He stated his intention to introduce a bill that would strengthen the “Platzverweis” (removing people from public spaces) in view of allowing the Grand Ducal Police to “effectively safeguard public order”. Responding to deputies’ questions on this matter, he detailed that he intends to put in place an eviction measure without “grey areas”.
In July 2022, deputies (MPs) voted for a measure permitting law enforcement to drive away individuals who obstruct the entry or exit of a public or private building. Deputies from Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) and the Greens (déi Gréng) contested this decision, as then Home Affairs Minister Taina Bofferding, had decided in May 2023, that the ban on begging in the capital would not come into force. The City of Luxembourg filed an appeal for reconsideration on this matter.
Minister Gloden noted that the goal was to fight “aggressive organised begging” and that Luxembourg and the capital offer social services and night shelters for people lacking permanent shelter. Finally, he claimed there were enough legal arguments to overturn the decision taken by his predecessor a few months ago. According to the minister, the judgment (Lacatus v. Switzerland) of the European Court of Human Rights (often cited in the context of this case) cannot be compared to the situation in Luxembourg City. According to Minister Gloden, the ban on begging only applies to parts of the capital, namely the city centre and the Luxembourg-Gare area, and it is limited to specific times (07:00 to 22:00).
Asked by MPs about the next steps, the minister announced that the regulation will come into force this Friday. In the first phase, begging individuals will receive a flyer, informing them about the new rule adaptation. In a second phase, they may be fined. Several opposition MPs expressed their disagreement with this decision taken by the new government.
Another “flagship project” of the coalition agreement as defined by Minister Gloden was the introduction of a local police unit. From the outset, the minister clarified that this is not a “new” police force, but that this unit will be integrated into the Grand Ducal Police. It is planned that local police officers will follow the same training programme as that currently provided for all police officers. A local police unit should be “made available” to the mayor and the latter will have managerial power within the framework of his public order missions, added Minister Gloden. He did not share the MPs’ doubts concerning the fact that mayors may not request the presence of local police officers enough. According to the minister, the collaboration between municipal agents and this local unit should be a good model for the future.
