The two petitioner camps joined parliamentarians for the debate: fierce opponents of smoking on restaurant terraces and those hoping to defend that right.
To say the least, the Wednesday morning debate was certainly animated, despite a light snow-induced delay. Even though some MPs were absent, the debate continued.
Daniel Reding, the author of petition 1069 calling for the ban, had to address a half-empty chamber but he could not be deterred.
Whilst Reding's passionate and confident plea certainly caused reactions amongst MPs, he failed to convince the new Minister for Health Etienne Schneider. Schneider declared that the government did not intend to create and enforce new regulations.
Reding responded heatedly, congratulating the hospitality sector Horesca "for its lobbying" and suggesting that the government was on the verge of failing to assist people at risk of developing cancer.
He also did not shy away from upsetting MPs. Calling on them to prove their political courage, he managed to offend Mars Di Bartolomeo, a former Minister for Health.
Whilst certainly a remarkable presentation, it may have failed to lead to definitive changes.
Following a short break, the debate continued. This time, counter-petitioner Ms Carella took the podium. However, her argumentation was weaker than Reding's, prompting MP Josée Lorsché to question the use of debating a ban which is not even in existence.
However, the debate between petitioners and MPs did pave the way to a potential compromise. Throughout the debate, several options were suggested, such as banning smoking during meal times, providing restaurant owners with the option to ban or permit smoking on their premises, or to split terraces into smoking and non-smoking areas.
Horesca president Alain Rix also affirmed his willingness to continue this dialogue and discuss the issue within the organisation. The MPs will decide on the matter in the coming days, following what was quite possibly the debate of the year.
