“Being close to the people, pragmatic and courageous.” These were the words of Max Hengel when we asked him what his “motto in politics” was after he became a member of parliament. Archive photo: Romain Gamba / Maison Moderne

“Being close to the people, pragmatic and courageous.” These were the words of Max Hengel when we asked him what his “motto in politics” was after he became a member of parliament.  Archive photo: Romain Gamba / Maison Moderne

On Saturday 17 August, the CSV announced the death of Max Hengel, MP and mayor of Wormeldange, at the age of 47, following an illness. He was also president of the CSV section for the East and a member of the National Committee.

On Facebook and then in a press release, the CSV announced on Saturday 17 August that had died of cancer at the age of 47. An illness about which . “He devoted his life to serving his fellow citizens and our country. With him, the country has lost a committed and competent politician with a big heart,” said the CSV.

The commitment of Max Hengel, who studied law, history and political science, began almost 20 years ago. First as a parliamentary adviser, then as deputy parliamentary secretary. In 2011, he became a councillor for the municipality of Wormeldange, before becoming mayor from 2017 to 2020. From 2020 to 2023, he served as an alderman, before resuming his duties as mayor in July 2023.

In January 2022,  as MP for the East constituency. He came fourth in the 2018 legislative elections, replacing who withdrew for personal reasons. As an MP, he chaired the Health and Social Security Committee and was a member of the Education, Petitions, Sport, Home Affairs, Housing, Regional Planning and Tourism Committees.

He always sought and maintained close contact with the people.

CSV

As mayor of the municipality of Wormelange and chairman of the eastern section of the CSV, which he joined in 1998, “he always sought and maintained close contact with the people. As a politician, he was committed to education, sport and health policies. He was a family man with a deep attachment to the East,” says his party.

A resident of Wormeldange since birth, the father of two boys always felt at home in his municipality and had many friends there. He started playing basketball at the age of seven with BBC Palma Ahn (one of the clubs that merged in 2004 to form BC Musel Pikes). As the club was close to his heart, he became involved in the committee in 2004 and accompanied the merger process.

“Outside of politics, Max was above all a family man with a deep attachment to the East. Max was known for his joviality and his great sense of helping others. Max, your commitment, your joie de vivre and your courage, even in your fight against cancer, will remain unforgettable. We will miss you,” said the prime minister and chairman of the CSV, as well as the general secretary, , general secretary, Françoise Kemp, and chairman of the parliamentary group, , in a statement.

This article was originally published in .