Mayors of Luxembourg - Echternach

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg consists of twelve cantons made up of 100 municipalities. Each municipal council is elected directly by its residents in municipal elections held every six years. The municipality’s mayor is then appointed from among the elected members of the municipal council.

In this series, Chronicle.lu spoke to a selection of the country’s mayors to discuss the challenges within their municipality, their daily activities, how projects are prioritised and how they communicate with residents.

The tenth in this series features Mayor Carole Hartmann, who represents the municipality of Echternach.

Chronicle.lu: What is the size of your municipality, in population and number of nationalities?

Carole Hartmann: The municipality of Echternach has a population of 6,014 inhabitants. The population is composed of 53.4% residents holding Luxembourgish nationality (3,210 inhabitants) and 46.6% residents holding a foreign nationality (2,804 inhabitants).

With residents representing 90 different nationalities, including Luxembourgish, Echternach is characterised by a diverse and international community.

Chronicle.lu: What are the main challenges currently facing the municipality (housing, mobility, infrastructure, environment, demographic growth, etc.) and how is the administration working to address them?

Carole Hartmann: Like many municipalities in Luxembourg, Echternach is facing several important challenges. One of our main priorities is to provide adequate infrastructure for a growing population while preserving the unique historical character and quality of life of our town.

Housing remains one of our key priorities. We are pursuing a broad and diversified approach by working with several public partners while also developing municipal initiatives of our own. The municipality is currently planning a project with four municipal housing units. We are working closely with the Agence Immobilière Sociale, which already manages one municipal dwelling and is currently assessing the feasibility of integrating additional municipal properties into its programme. We have also partnered with the SNHBM, which will construct eighteen houses on municipal land in the Oachtergäert area, while the Fonds du Logement is developing around 220 housing units in the Manertchen district. Together, these projects will contribute to increasing the supply of affordable and accessible housing in Echternach.

Mobility is another major priority. We are preparing a comprehensive redevelopment of the town centre, introducing a shared space around the Market Square to improve accessibility, safety and the overall attractiveness of the historic centre for residents and visitors alike.

At the same time, we continue to invest in education, sports infrastructure and environmental measures. This includes the extension and renovation of school facilities, the planning of a new sports complex, tree planting, biodiversity projects and investments in renewable energy and energy-efficient public lighting.

Chronicle.lu: Please describe the daily activities undertaken by you, as mayor of the municipality of Echternach, and how you work in conjunction with the other members of your administration.

Carole Hartmann: No two days are the same. My role combines strategic planning with day-to-day decision-making and close contact with residents, businesses, associations and public institutions.

Together with the aldermen and the municipal council, we prepare and implement projects that respond to the needs of our community. We meet regularly to discuss ongoing projects, define priorities and take collective decisions. An important part of my work is also to represent Echternach at regional and national level and to ensure constructive cooperation with the Luxembourg Government and other partners.

Being accessible to residents is essential. Listening to their concerns and ideas helps us make better decisions and ensures that our projects reflect the needs of the community.

Chronicle.lu: Please describe the challenges of being mayor of Echternach and what makes your municipality unique in Luxembourg.

Carole Hartmann: Being mayor means balancing many different expectations while making decisions that benefit both current and future generations. It requires listening carefully, building consensus and finding practical solutions, often within limited financial and legal frameworks.

What makes Echternach unique is its exceptional combination of history, culture and nature. As Luxembourg’s oldest town, with its historic centre, the Basilica, and the UNESCO-recognised Hopping Procession, Echternach has a remarkable heritage. At the same time, it is a vibrant commercial centre and the gateway to the Mullerthal UNESCO Global Geopark, offering an outstanding quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

Chronicle.lu: As mayor, how do you select and prioritise which projects the municipality will undertake?

Carole Hartmann: Our priorities are guided by the needs of our residents, our coalition programme and the long-term development of the municipality.

We carefully assess each project based on its public benefit, urgency, financial feasibility and long-term impact. We also rely on input from our advisory commissions, local associations and residents through public meetings and participation initiatives. Major investments must contribute to making Echternach more attractive, sustainable and inclusive for future generations.

Chronicle.lu: What are the key projects, developments and upcoming events that will shape life in Echternach over the coming months and years?

Carole Hartmann: The most significant project currently under preparation is the construction of a new sports complex, which will become a major asset for both the municipality and the wider region. The project includes a new regional swimming pool with a 25 m competition pool and a learner pool, a large multi-purpose sports hall with seating for around 400 spectators, and two additional sports halls that will serve both

the City of Echternach and the Lycée Classique d’Echternach. This investment will provide modern facilities for schools, sports clubs and the wider community while responding to the needs of a growing population.

Another major project is the comprehensive redevelopment of the town centre, including the creation of a shared space around the Market Square. This will improve accessibility, safety and the overall attractiveness of the historic centre while preserving its unique heritage.

We are also continuing our efforts to strengthen the local economy through initiatives such as our successful pop-up shop programme and the planned introduction of outlet stores, helping to reinforce Echternach’s role as a traditional commercial centre.

In addition, our cultural calendar remains very active, with events such as the Christmas Market and, of course, the internationally renowned Hopping Procession, which continues to attract visitors from Luxembourg and abroad.

Chronicle.lu: How does the municipality communicate with residents and encourage them to become involved in local life and decision-making? Do you use English in such communications?

Carole Hartmann: We believe that transparent communication and citizen participation are essential for good local governance.

Residents can obtain information through our municipal website, social media channels, the municipal app, newsletters, public meetings and information sessions. Through the “Report it” function in our municipal app, residents can also directly report issues and communicate with the administration.

For major projects, we organise public information meetings and participatory workshops to gather feedback and encourage dialogue.

As an international municipality with residents from many different backgrounds, we increasingly provide key information in English where appropriate, particularly for practical information and communications intended to reach as many residents as possible.

Chronicle.lu: Please describe any initiatives / projects the municipality has in place to strengthen community relations, integration and volunteering.

Carole Hartmann: Community life is one of Echternach’s greatest strengths. We are fortunate to have a very active network of clubs and associations, supported by many dedicated volunteers who make an invaluable contribution to local life.

The municipality supports these organisations through infrastructure, financial assistance and close cooperation in organising cultural, sporting and community events throughout the year.

Integration is also a priority. With residents representing 90 nationalities, we actively encourage newcomers to become part of our community. Every new resident receives a welcome brochure providing practical information about the municipality, its services, local institutions and useful contacts to help them settle into life in Echternach.

In addition, we organise a monthly Café des langues at the Hospice Civil, where residents of different backgrounds can meet, practise languages and get to know one another in an informal and welcoming atmosphere. Together with our advisory commissions, community events and other participation initiatives, these activities help strengthen social cohesion and encourage active involvement in local life.

Our objective is to ensure that everyone feels welcome and has the opportunity to contribute to the life of our municipality.