New Prime Minister Takes Office in Luxembourg
Luxembourg's newest Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, was officially sworn in by Grand Duke Henri on a chilly Friday. This marks the Christian Social Party (CSV) and their Liberal (DP) coalition's first term in power.
Ten years in the shadows, the CSV emerges victorious from the electoral dust. At the swearing-in ceremony, the Grand Duke ushered in 14 additional ministers alongside Frieden.
Xavier Bettel, the previous Democratic Party (DP) leader who had helmed the country since 2013, now ranks as Deputy Prime Minister while serving as both Foreign Minister and Minister for the Greater Region. Bettel, a skilled lawyer, steps into the shoes of the long-serving Social Democrat Jean Asselborn, who held the Foreign Minister post for an impressive 19 years.
Frieden titles the 200-page coalition agreement "Strengthening Luxembourg for the Future." This blueprint includes initiatives such as easing the tax burden for the middle class, creating living spaces, investing in renewable energy, minimizing bureaucracy, and making life smoother for young families. The Prime Minister will deliver a government statement in parliament next Wednesday.
The October 8 elections witnessed the end of Bettel's three-party coalition, which had governed since 2013. Heavy Greens losses prompted their ousting, as the CSV emerged as the strongest party, with the DP trailing closely behind. The new alliance boasts a comfortable majority of 35 out of the 60 parliamentary seats. Luxembourg's population hovers around 660,000.
CSV's Return to Power
With Luc Frieden at the helm, the CSV returns to power after a decade of opposition. As part of the new government, the former Democratic Party (DP) Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, takes on the roles of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister as well as Minister for the Greater Region.
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Context: Policy Expansion
In addition to the policies outlined in the 200-page coalition agreement, some ongoing discussions and debates have arisen:
- Retail Opening Hours: There's ongoing conflict within the new government regarding proposed changes to retail opening hour regulations. Minister of the Economy Lex Delles (DP) remains confident in the proposed draft law, while CSV parliamentary group members, like Marc Spautz, have expressed reservations and urged for modifications[1].
- Budget 2025: The state budget 2025 and the multiannual program 2025-2028 have been submitted to the Chamber. The document outlines government policy orientations, which the Chamber of Commerce will analyze in detail. This includes the full translation of the CSV-DP coalition's orientations, following the "transition budget" of 2024[5].
- Human Rights and Democracy: Prime Minister Luc Frieden emphasized the importance of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in his speech to the Council of Europe. He called for collective action to counteract the diminishing democratic values around the world[3].
- Economic Stance: The coalition's economic stance is expected to be influenced by the Chamber of Commerce's analysis of the budget and multiannual program. Carlo Thelen, director general of the Chamber of Commerce, has expressed insights on these documents, indicating a focus on setting government policy and aligning it with economic priorities[5].
These details provide a sense of the broader themes and discussions within the coalition, although the specifics of their policies remain unclear.
