The Commercial Union of the City of Luxembourg (Union commerciale de la Ville de Luxembourg, UCVL) is on the side of . In a press release published on Friday 17 March, the president of the association representing the capital’s shopkeepers, Mireille Rahmé-Bley, stated: “For several years now, the UCVL has been hoping for the introduction of a begging ordinance (Platzverweis) aimed at banning begging in certain high-density commercial areas of Luxembourg City. We therefore very much hope that the proposal of the College of Aldermen to ban begging, as proposed, will be approved by the City Council.”

Having noted a growing problem of begging in the capital for several years, the union states that “this problem has serious consequences for the attractiveness of the city centre (Ville-Haute, Gare). Many visitors no longer dare to visit the city because of this situation. This leads to significant additional costs for commercial businesses.”

A ban limited to certain districts

In view of this situation, the aldermanic college is proposing to ban begging from 7am to 10pm in the city’s parks and public squares, as well as in a number of streets, mainly in the upper town, but also in the station area, according to information obtained by Delano’s sister publication Paperjam. The proposal should be submitted to the vote of the Luxembourg City council on 27 March.

Recalling that “the social offer of the city has been greatly increased in recent years” and inviting “customers and visitors to support local associations helping people in need,” the UCVL is “aware that this decision will not solve social problems, but that it will contribute to preventively ensuring the necessary safety, convenience and tranquillity for users of public roads.”

This article was first published in French on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.