Speaking about the ‘CSV Frëndeskrees’ affair, Roth insisted that it was the right decision to denounce former party president Frank Engel to the public prosecutor’s office. The party had no other choice, Roth explained, stressing that it was “not a political manoeuvre to get rid of Frank Engel”.
Roth also denied allegations that the parliamentary group had pressured members of the party executive into signing a lawyer’s legal opinion that incriminated Engel.
The verdict in this case is expected for 9 December. Roth declined any further comments, seeing as it is an ongoing lawsuit. The MP and co-president of the CSV’s parliamentary group added that the party has no contact to its ex-member Frank Engel and wants to put that chapter to rest.
Regarding the disastrous performance of the CSV in recent political polls, Roth stated that the results should not be brushed off and there is no use in searching the fault elsewhere. Nevertheless, Roth described these polls as a “snapshot”, stressing that the CSV must stop getting caught up in internal problems and start focussing on offering voters a “valuable alternative” to the current three-party coalition in 2023.
As for the party’s lead candidate, the co-president of the CSV’s parliamentary group stated that this choice will be made at a later date, most likely around spring 2023.
When it comes to the new Covid-19 law, the CSV is still unable to take a definitive stance, seeing as the government has yet to put forward a final version of the draft bill, Roth explained. While the government managed the health crisis quite well in the beginning, the decision-making process has been increasingly chaotic as of late, Roth criticised. Notably, the MP pointed out that the communication strategy behind the vaccination campaign was not well thought out.
Seeing several ministers step down in the middle of a global crisis is “peculiar”, Roth stated, adding that he was particularly surprised by the resignation of Minister of Finance Pierre Gramegna. Gramegna’s successor, Yuriko Backes, deserves to be given a chance, Roth said.
While it seems highly unlikely that the government will revive its plans for a major tax reform, Roth stressed that the Chamber of Deputies should still pass a number of adaptations to lower the tax burden on the general population.
Gilles Roth is also the mayor of the municipality of Mamer. Recently, local authorities came under fire on social media for their decision to feature a ski slope and snow cannons on Mamer’s Christmas market. Roth stated that the municipality will assess the situation after the Christmas holidays and decide whether or not to scrap the concept for next year’s Christmas market.
