The CSV at a national congress on 26 March completed the election of its party leadership that began in April last year Library photo: Romain Gamba / Maison Moderne Publishing SA

The CSV at a national congress on 26 March completed the election of its party leadership that began in April last year Library photo: Romain Gamba / Maison Moderne Publishing SA

The Christian democrat opposition over the weekend sought to finally leave behind its leadership scandal, completing the election of its new executive, while the DP’s Corinne Cahen said she wouldn’t seek office as family minister in the next elections.

Luxembourg’s political landscape is gearing up for 2023, a double election year with local elections in June and national elections in October.

The CSV--which was ousted from government in 2013 after being in power since 1979--over the weekend completed its new party leadership line-up after president Frank Engel resigned last year in March amid fraud accusations.

Engel in December was by a Luxembourg court and last month launched his own political party, .

Nearly a year after the scandal threw the party into disarray, the CSV on Saturday appeared ready to finally put the matter to bed as Claude Wiseler, who accepted a nomination as president in April 2021, completed his vision of the party’s executive.

Wiseler had sought to double key posts, proposing Elisabeth Margue as co-president, in a bid to rejuvenate the party and create a more diverse leadership team. Tandem presidencies have long been standard with Luxembourg’s Green party and the social democrat LSAP earlier this month also voting in a new --Dan Biancalana and Francine Closener.

The CSV in September had voted to to allow double mandates. Margue, who works as a lawyer, on 26 March during a national congress was voted into office by party members after she, too, had been cleared in the suspected fraud trial over misuse of party assets. The 31-year-old sits on Luxembourg City's town council. Stéphanie Weydert meanwhile was elected new co-secretary general, joining Christophe Hansen.

With new faces and the motto responsibility, commitment and credibility, the CSV said it would officially launch into the election year in June but already outlined health policy, housing, energy and climate as key topics.

DP leadership change on the horizon

Elsewhere, family and integration minister Corinne Cahen (DP) in a radio interview with RTL on Saturday said she would not be seeking another term as party president after two consecutive mandates.

This leaves the race open for new candidates ahead of a party congress in June as prime minister Xavier Bettel’s party will seek a third term in government at the national elections next year.

Cahen also revealed that she would not seek to become family and integration minister again, with her portfolio also including greater region relations and policy. She did not, however, rule out accepting another cabinet post.

Cahen during the pandemic had over a lack of leadership on keeping homes for the elderly safe during the pandemic.

Parliament in April 2021 had backed an independent inquiry into care home deaths. And while the report concluded that there were no serious shortcomings or failings, it said the government had poorly communicated guidelines and left homes underprepared for the infections wave that struck the country in October and November 2020.

Cahen ruling out a third mandate as family minister follows the resignation of finance minister Pierre Gramegna (DP), who left office at the start of the year and was replaced by Yuriko Backes (DP).

His departure coincided with agriculture minister Romain Schneider and labour minister Dan Kersch (both LSAP) also handing in their notice, roughly one year after economy minister Etienne Schneider (LSAP) left the government in February 2020.