Many Hats
Carole Hartmann wears many hats. She is an MP, president of the Democratic Party, mayor of Echternach, and a mother. All roles which require plenty of organisation. Fortunately, she says she can rely on her family for support.
Hartmann met with RTL at Echternach Lake, a spot that feels like a holiday to her, even if the landscape surrounding it has been affected by the drought. She says she is worried about the environmental crisis, pointing at the fires throughout Europe, and says politicians must take these into consideration for the future.
Politically, the social dispute dominated Luxembourg's news last year. Hartmann believes the disagreement between government, employers, and unions could have been resolved more quickly. But in the end, all that matters is that the social dialogue has worked.
On the issue of the capped index, the DP remains firmly against it. People with lower salaries should be supported with other measures, such as the high cost of living allowance.
As for housing, Hartmann thinks the most important measure is the state programme to buy up on-plan (VEFA) projects. She also believes the healthcare sector is in need of liberalisation, and says it could have begun sooner.
Hartmann has never considered joining another party, but if she did, it would have to be a social-liberal force. Her political role models are Xavier Bettel and Colette Flesch. Whilst she does not want to commit to what the next coalition might look like, she hopes the next government is led by Xavier Bettel.
MP, party president, mayor, mother. Against the capped index, for VEFA housing projects, for healthcare liberalisation, and hoping Bettel leads the next government. She read Pierre Decock's "Les disparus du Daisiwelskessel" last, plays tennis in summer and table tennis in winter, and is spending the break putting her children to bed. The Echternach Lake she sat beside for this interview is affected by the drought she is worried about.