During the interview, Mayor Hansen underlined that the deadline for the planned Nordstad fusion is quickly approaching and that local officials are therefore planning several scenarios to prepare for every eventuality.
Financing of the project remains a central problem. The concerned municipalities demand a government support of €5,000 per resident, which Minister for Home Affairs Taina Bofferding seems unwilling to approve. A meeting to resolve opinion differences between both parties is scheduled to take place in autumn.
Mayor Hansen explained that the Nordstad municipalities will not back down from the expected amount of financial compensation. However, she also emphasised that there are various ways of financing the project, and that it does not have to be a direct aid.
In terms of municipal infrastructure, a number of projects have to be realised, Mayor Hansen further noted. A new town hall, cultural centre, and gym still have to be constructed. Furthermore, a new location for the centre of the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps needs to be found after the Ministry for the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development disapproved of the location chosen by local officials.
