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The "Pro Referendum" citizens' initiative in the municipality of Bettendorf has expressed its disappointment over the municipal council's decision to ignore the result of a recent referendum.
The council recently decided to withdraw from merger discussions with four neighbouring municipalities (Diekirch, Erpeldange-sur-Sûre, Ettelbruck and Schieren) for the planned "Nordstad".
In a referendum held in Bettendorf on 23 March 2025, 57.4% of voters favoured continuing the merger talks. However, one month later, on Wednesday 23 April 2025, the municipal council voted to discontinue the talks.
A citizens' initiative has criticised the move, noting in a statement: "We are extremely disappointed that the city council ignored the clear will of the population. A referendum is not a symbolic poll, but a democratic mandate". The initiative argued that the decision to ignore the referendum result "puts trust in local democracy to a severe test", adding that it "also definitively closes the door to an open process". The statement recalled that voting in favour of continuing the talks did not necessarily mean that the merger would have gone ahead; instead, "it would have meant that objective facts could have been put on the table - and that the necessary time would have been given to clarify all questions, concerns and expectations in an open process".
The citizens' initiative added that those who had voted "no" in the referendum would not have been forced into the merger, rather "they would have had time in the next two years to convince others with arguments and commitment".
"We are disappointed with this decision. As a citizens' initiative, we made use of our democratic right and launched the referendum. Our role in this process ended with the holding of the referendum," the statement continued. "We thank all the people who have involved themselves in this process with respect and commitment in recent months. We will continue to advocate for transparency and co-determination."
