The minister’s bulletproof vest sparked a scandal

Photographs of the Minister of the Interior, Léon Gloden, taken on 14 July during a night-time police patrol in the Gare station area, have sparked a strong public reaction. The published photographs show that the official is wearing a bulletproof vest under his jacket. Social media users expressed outrage, viewing such precautionary measures as the deliberate stigmatisation of a specific neighbourhood.

In light of the widespread reaction, Dan Biancalana, a Member of Parliament for the Socialist Party, submitted an official parliamentary question. In his reply, Léon Gloden explained that the patrol began at 22:00 and took place under real-life conditions. According to him, in the event of an unforeseen situation, he was required to accompany the patrol during any operational intervention. It was for this reason, at the direct request of the law enforcement agencies and on the advice of his personal security officer, that the minister wore protective gear.

At the same time, the head of the department emphasised that the provision of body armour is in no way linked to the nature or level of crime in a particular area. According to official guidelines, wearing protective gear is a standard precautionary measure recommended by the police for all civilians taking part in patrols. This rule applies in situations where escorts may be exposed to unforeseen risks during potentially dangerous operations.

It is worth noting that the mayor of Luxembourg City, Lydie Polfer, who was also present at the event, chose not to wear a bulletproof vest. Commenting on this, Léon Gloden noted that every participant has the right to decide for themselves whether to wear protective equipment. Nevertheless, he concluded that, as the minister responsible for overseeing the police, he considers it his duty to strictly adhere to their regulations and safety procedures.