General election
Change of government in Luxembourg
Luc Frieden is expected to become the new Prime Minister of Luxembourg (archive photo). photo
© Gian Ehrenzeller/KEYSTONE/dpa
In Luxembourg, the previous three-party coalition was voted out. After ten years in opposition, the Christian Democrats are now back in power. Who do they want to govern with?
The CSV’s top candidate, Luc Frieden, said after the provisional official final result was presented late on Sunday evening: “I am determined to form a new government as quickly as possible.” A strong majority is needed in parliament to move the country forward. The Christian Democrats achieved the best result with 21 seats. They will probably nominate Frieden (60), who is known in Luxembourg as an accomplished former finance minister, as the new prime minister.
Does Bettel go to the second row?
The previous incumbent Xavier Bettel (50), who had led the three-party coalition since the end of 2013, informed Grand Duke Henri on Monday – as is customary in Luxembourg – that the government was resigning. He also sees his Liberal Party as the election winner, as it was able to increase the number of its seats by 2 to 14.
“We are the party that has made the most gains among the major parties,” he said. “With the result, voters have expressed their desire for the DP to take part in the government.” For him, it’s all about “the program and the policies we’re doing.”
Trier political scientist Lasse Cronqvist said he could therefore imagine that Bettel could also go back to the second row. “Because he has repeatedly emphasized that enforcing political content is more important to him than holding a specific government office, and he would like to continue to take on responsibility in the Grand Duchy with the DP.”
Social Democrats: “We are ready for discussion”
After the election, the Social Democrats’ top candidate, Paulette Lenert, also signaled her willingness to hold coalition talks with the CSV: “We are there. We are ready to discuss.” The Social Democrats (LSAP) won 11 mandates (plus 1) in the election. Mathematically, a majority would be possible with the CSV.
Expert Cronqvist believes a coalition between CSV and the Liberals is likely. “You have to see clearly: the intersections in terms of content are greatest there,” he told the German Press Agency. The two parties are closer together, especially when it comes to economic policy.
Greens lose: “Enormous disappointment”
The previous three-party coalition was voted out in Luxembourg on Sunday. The alliance got 29 seats – 2 seats too few to be able to continue the coalition. Most recently, the government coalition had a narrow majority of 31 in the Chamber of Deputies.
According to the election management, the Greens lost five mandates compared to the 2018 election – and only got four seats. The Green Party’s top candidate, Sam Tanson, said of her party’s poor result: “It was of course a huge disappointment. I had hoped to deliver a better result.” The CSV remained stable with 21 mandates. The right-wing ADR gained 5 mandates (plus 1).
Around 284,000 eligible voters were called to vote in Luxembourg on Sunday to elect a new parliament. In the second smallest country in the EU with around 660,000 inhabitants, voting is compulsory.