Henri Kox
In this article, we will delve into Henri Kox's biography, exploring his educational and professional journey, notable achievements, political views and support within The Greens.
Ideology
Democracy
Active since
1999
Main focus
Environmental Advocate, Renewable Energies Advocate, Housing reformer, Center-Left politics
Henri Kox, born in 1961, is a prominent Luxembourgish politician affiliated with the environmentalist political party, The Greens (déi Gréng). With a background in engineering, Kox initially pursued a career in education, serving as a professor at the Technical High School of Arts and Crafts in Luxembourg until July 2004.
Kox's foray into politics began in 1999 when he was elected to the city council of Remich. A decade later, in 2009, he assumed the role of Mayor of Remich, a position he held until 2017. Following the 2004 legislative elections, Henri Kox entered the Chamber of Deputies, subsequently winning re-election in 2009, 2013, and 2018. In October 2019, he took his seat in the government and currently holds the portfolios of Minister of Housing, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Interior Security.
Biography
Henri Kox was born on May 7, 1961, in Luxembourg City. His educational journey began with secondary studies at the Institut supérieur de technologie, where he earned a diploma in technical secondary education. Subsequently, he pursued higher education at the Polytechnic School of Rhineland-Westphalia in Aix-la-Chapelle (RWTH Aachen), graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1990.
Following the completion of his studies, Kox embarked on a career as an educator, dedicating his expertise to teaching. From Luxembourg's Technical High School of Arts and Crafts, he served as a teacher until July 2004.
Beyond his professional role, Henri Kox displayed a keen interest in renewable energy, notably serving as the president of Eurosolar Luxembourg a.s.b.l. from 2002 until he entered the government. His educational background and commitment to sustainable energy would later contribute significantly to his career in politics.
Speech by Henri Kox, Ex-Minister for Housing, 7 October 2022 at the press conference about Reform of the land tax and the mobilisation of land and housing
Achievements
When Henri Kox assumed his position in the government, he encountered a myriad of challenges within both the security and housing domains in the system. Some of his notable accomplishments are outlined below.
Achievements as Minister of Internal Security
Regarding Internal Security, Henri Kox focused on addressing multiple concerns, predominantly related to the police forces. This encompassed aspects of their recruitment and training. Additionally, he prioritized the sustainable development of the nation's resources dedicated to internal protection.
Strengthening police personnel
Infrastructure and training enhancements
Sustainability and future planning
Achievements as Minister of Housing
Within the Ministry of Housing, Kox confronted a critical housing crisis in Luxembourg, characterized by rising interest rates and an insufficient supply of affordable housing.
In response to this situation, the ministry launched the National Affordable Housing Strategy in 2018. This multifaceted strategy aimed to bolster the supply of public, affordable, and sustainable housing, while also providing increased support to individuals and regulating the private housing market.
The project aims to increase the availability of public housing by a factor of ten, ensuring affordable options for the 18% of the population currently living below the poverty threshold.
As of June 2023, the third report from the Special Fund for Housing Development evaluates the progress of this initiative. The following are some of the advances illustrated in this report.
Enhancing housing policies
Large-scale housing projects
Quality urban development
Pacte Logement 2.0
Financial investments
Interviews
Interview with Henri Kox at the Paperjam "Finally increase the rental stock in public hands"
Interview with Henri Kox at the Lëtzebuerger Land "Score and its setting to music"
Professional activities and relationships
In the political landscape, Henri Kox stands out as a seasoned figure with nearly 25 years of experience at both local and national levels.
Local politics
Henri Kox embarked on his political journey in 1999 when he secured a seat on the municipal council of Remich. His dedication and commitment soon led to his appointment as alderman in 2005. However, it was in 2009 that he reached the pinnacle of municipal politics, a...
Show all
Involvement with the Greens
Henri Kox's passion for environmental advocacy was deeply rooted in his personal history, as he was influenced by his mother's opposition to the construction of a nuclear power plant in Remerschen during the 1970s. This early environmental consciousness drove him to ...
Show all
Chamber of Deputies
In the wake of the legislative elections on June 13, 2004, Henri Kox made his debut in the Chamber of Deputies, representing the East constituency and advocating for The Greens. His consistent dedication to environmental causes and his political acumen earned him re-election in 2009, 2013, and 2018.
Notably, since 2013, Kox has served as the Vice-President of the Chamber of Deputies and presided over the Environment Commission. In 2015, he added the role of Vice-President of the Agriculture, Viticulture, Rural Development, and Consumer Protection Commission to his impressive list of responsibilities.
Governmental roles
On October 11, 2019, Henri Kox transitioned to a prominent role in the government, taking on the portfolios of Minister of Housing and Minister Delegate for Defense and Interior Security. In July 2020, Kox's ministerial responsibilities evolved further when he was appointed Minister in charge of Interior Security, no longer under the tutelage of François Bausch.
Currently, he remains an active candidate for The Greens in the East constituency, demonstrating his ongoing dedication to representing his constituents and advancing green policies at the national level.
After the national legislative elections in October 2023, this politician did not become part of the current administration. However, they continue to be a prominent figure in Luxembourg's political landscape.
Political views and support
Henri Kox's political affiliation and views are deeply influenced by his family background, particularly his mother's engagement in political activism. His mother, Elisabeth Risch, was initially a member of the Christian Social People's Party but later transitioned to the anti-nuclear movement and ultimately joined The Greens.
The politician has a strong commitment to renewable energy, driven by his technical knowledge as an engineer. He has been actively involved in various renewable energy initiatives, aligning with his mother's passion for ecological causes. As a result, he is a staunch supporter of The Greens Party.
Their vision entails a societal transition towards a world characterized by peace, justice, democracy, humanism, and sustainable and equitable lifestyles. They believe that environmental policies should not exist in isolation but should be integrated into a broader approach that addresses issues such as poverty, discrimination, and social inequality.
Henri Kox's popularity is evident through his consistent re-election in legislative elections since 1999, consistently representing his constituents in the East constituency. His highest vote count was in 2009, with 7,496 votes, and in the most recent elections, he secured 5,995 votes. His enduring support and re-elections underscore his resonance with voters who share his environmental and social values. He continues to be a prominent candidate for The Greens Party in the upcoming legislative elections in the Eastern constituency.
Criticism of the politician
In the realm of politics, complex issues often yield multifaceted solutions, and the housing crisis in Luxembourg is no exception. Henri Kox has been tasked with addressing this substantial challenge and implementing measures aimed at restoring acceptable and inclusive living conditions for the common good. However, the proposed solutions have presented intricate implications, sometimes sparking debate and criticism.
In early 2023, Henri Kox faced criticism from the LSAP (Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party) concerning these proposed amendments. Some critics expressed concerns that if the reform were to be passed, rents for older apartments could potentially increase, while rents for new apartments might decrease.
In response to these criticisms, Kox emphasized that both the DP (Democratic Party) and the LSAP had received these amendments in July 2022 for internal party discussions. Subsequently, in October, all three governing parties had collectively adopted these amendments during a government council meeting. Kox also highlighted that over the past few months, the ministry had released several documents to clarify the rationale behind the proposed changes.
Personal life
Henri Kox hails from a family deeply rooted in the agricultural and political landscape of Remich, in the Moselle region. He is the second youngest among eleven siblings, born to a viticulturist and farmer. His mother, Elisabeth Risch, was formerly associated with the Christian Social People's Party but transitioned to the anti-nuclear movement, ultimately affiliating with The Greens. She even ran as a green candidate in the parliamentary elections of 1994 and 1999, driven by her opposition to nuclear power plants in Remerschen and Cattenom.
Within his family, the commitment to environmental causes runs deep. Henri's brother, Martin Kox, is a surgeon and a fellow Green party member in their hometown of Esch, where he serves as the Deputy Mayor. Notably, both Henri and Martin were candidates for The Greens in the 2018 parliamentary elections. While they both had the potential to secure parliamentary seats, legal regulations prevented close relatives from holding mandates simultaneously. Consequently, Martin voluntarily abstained from taking office.
Henri Kox's personal life also extends to his spouse, who is actively involved in the wine industry and owns the Domaine Sunnen SC, further reflecting the family's connections to agriculture and viticulture in their region.
Hobbies
Viticulture
Find Henri Kox in social networks:
We took photos from these sources: Gouvernement.lu, Copyright: SIP / Yves Kortum