Frank Engel won 54% of the vote at the party’s national congress in Moutfort, where he was up against young Luxembourg City alderman Serge Wilmes. Following its disappointing election result last October, when it lost 3 seats and saw its hopes of a return to government dashed, the CSV needs to reach out to everyone in Luxembourg society, Engel said. He wanted the party to show that it is “cooler” and to take responsibility, according to a report by Delano’s sister publication Paperjam. Engel replaces the outgoing Marc Spautz.

Engel, 43, said he would be a “full-time” president and said that taking up the new post meant he would not be standing for election at the European Parliament elections in May.

Former RTL TV presenter Félix Eischen was named general secretary of the party, replacing Laurent Zeimet. Eischen said the party needed to modernise and that he was keen to reach out to the country’s youngsters by using social media more effectively.

Elisabeth Margue and Stéphanie Weydert were also voted onto the board as vice-presidents and Georges Heirendt was named treasurer.