Barriers are to be installed around the Place de l’Europe in the capital’s Kirchberg district next week, as part of test work to restrict protests in an area popular for demonstrations in the city.
The square is being remodelled “to maintain order in the event of violent demonstrations”, according to a police press release on Thursday.
To this end, work will be carried out from 3 to 8 November, during which “various infrastructures” will be set up, the police said, as part of a test to prepare the site for the issuing of a public tender for a firm to carry out a permanent redesign.
Clampdown on right to protest under draft law, report claims
During the test phase, the Place de l’Europe will remain accessible to pedestrians, albeit with restrictions due to the construction work.
However, cyclists will not be permitted to use the area, while the square’s car park will only be accessible from the direction of Kirchberg, and the Trois Glands car park will remain closed on 5 November.
A map from the city council showing an overview of the various restrictions around the Place de l’Europe. © Photo credit: Ville de Luxembourg
Barbed wire will be used during the test phase, according to police, who have urged pedestrians not to approach it. The police said officers will not carry out exercises on the Place de l’Europe last week, but drone flights will be flown over the area to document the work.
(This article was originally published by the Luxemburger Wort. Translated using AI, with editing and adaptation by John Monaghan.)