How to run three Luxembourg ministries and not go crazy

Luxembourg's Minister of Defence, Transport and Equality, Yuriko Backes, spoke candidly about her many responsibilities, daily challenges and ambitious plans in an interview with Lëtzebuerger Journal.

Backes admitted that the workload is enormous: "I work seven days a week, from morning to late afternoon." Organisation is key to survival, given her three offices and constant business trips: in recent months she has visited Lithuania, Brussels, Ramstein, Berlin and New York.

To keep up with her busy schedule, the minister starts her day at 5-6 a.m. with yoga and Pilates classes. "It gives me mental strength," she notes. However, retirement is not even on her mind yet: "I am too passionate about my work."

Backes previously served as finance minister, becoming the first woman to hold the post. Looking back on that period, she admits that it was a "jump into cold water" - at the same time, she had to deal with complex budgetary processes, rising inflation and the crisis caused by the war in Ukraine.

Now, as head of the defence ministry, she is focusing on investment in the army. Parliament recently approved the largest defence project in Luxembourg's history, worth €2.6 billion. It is part of a commitment to NATO and plans for a joint battalion with Belgium. "But there are new NATO requirements ahead, which will be discussed at the summit in June," she adds.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump's remarks about a possible increase in military spending by NATO countries to 5 per cent of GDP have raised questions. According to Backes, Luxembourg expects to reach the target 2 per cent by 2030, but the process will not be easy.

As Minister of Transport, Backes has actively promoted the expansion of the tram network and the development of rail services. However, problems remain - for example, the train to Brussels now takes longer than it did 20 years ago. "Even after modernisation, the situation will not improve by 2029," she admits, pointing to the complexity of international solutions.

Improving transport links to border regions and encouraging a shift to public transport remain a priority. But border controls, which Germany plans to keep in place permanently, jeopardise the very idea of Schengen. "If we close the borders, it will no longer be the Europe we fought for," the minister warns.

The Ministry of Equality (MEGA) is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. When asked about its need in 2024, Backes replies: "In an ideal world, it wouldn't be needed."

However, the reality remains far from ideal. In Parliament, a recent statement was made that "homosexuals are not being persecuted", which the Minister called "criminal and unacceptable" rhetoric.