"Even a minister is only human"

We meet Léon Gloden in his office in Rue Beaumont, but go out into the street to take some photos before the interview. We have just started the photo session when a man approaches us to congratulate the minister on his measures to combat organised begging. The situation in the streets of the upper town has improved significantly since then, says the man, who has a shop not far from the theatre square. Less than two minutes later, a completely different picture emerges when a visibly drunk man approaches us and, on seeing Léon Gloden, begins to shout loudly in a language we don't understand, although it's not clear whether he has recognised the minister or is just shouting.

Lëtzebuerger Journal: A minister of the interior is often described as a kind of head sheriff. If we were in the Wild West, you would probably have the reputation of a really tough dog. Anyone who doesn't stick to the rules feels the long arm of the law: crooks are put behind bars, and beggars who disrupt the cityscape are simply taken beyond the city limits.

Léon Gloden: I'm not a police officer, I'm the Minister of the Interior, and he has a range of powers. Among other things, he is responsible for the municipalities and for internal and civil security. As a member of parliament, I had already dealt with the areas of security and the police, so Luc Frieden, who was looking for someone who was familiar with the municipalities and the police, assigned these areas to me. Some people thought I would become Minister of Justice. Security was one of the CSV's election priorities. This government was elected not least to set new priorities in security policy, and it is doing so. As a former mayor, I have a very good relationship with the police and know their problems.

Wouldn't you have preferred to be Minister of Justice after all?

The allocation of portfolios is the responsibility of the Prime Minister. I have settled in well and I really enjoy my work. But of course I'm still interested in the justice system.

In any case, the first few months of the new government were characterised exclusively by the begging ban. With your law-and-order campaign, you even stole the show from Prime Minister Frieden and his adjustment of the tax table. At the beginning of the new government, there was probably no other minister who was talked about and argued about more than you.

Everything has been said and written on this subject. Once again, the Minister of the Interior is in the public eye because of his powers. Whenever something happens in a community or in the area of internal and civil security, the Minister of the Interior is called upon. You have to be aware of that, and that's what makes the job so interesting. I have often spoken about this with my German counterpart Nancy Faeser, for example, with whom I have a very good relationship.

Although Nancy Faeser announces more than she implements…

I don't want to praise myself now, but I am known, and I was also known as mayor, for the fact that when I say something, I actually do it. Not everyone may always agree with everything, but in politics you have to act. We were elected to take the decisions set out in the coalition agreement.

Hasn't the head of the government and party, Mr Frieden, been talking your ear off behind closed doors?

I can only say that the situation with regard to aggressive begging in the capital has improved considerably. Many people tell me that they now dare to come into the city with their children again. It wasn't my decision, it was a decision made by the City of Luxembourg. One of my colleagues had drawn my attention to the pending court case.