Kersch in September already had announced that he would not be seeking another government mandate in the 2023 election, followed shortly by Schneider saying he would not be running.

But the pair could retire from political life earlier than expected. As RTL reports, both politicians are seeking to exit the coalition. The cabinet under the leadership of prime minister Xavier Bettel (DP) is meeting on Monday and could discuss the reshuffle. The LSAP has called a press conference for Tuesday. 

Schneider joined the government in 2009. He was one of only two ministers who remained in office after the end of the CSV-LSAP coalition in 2013, together with foreign minister Jean Asselborn. He serves as agriculture and social security minister. The politician on Monday afternoon told Delano’s sister publication Paperjam that he would not be leaving the government this year. However, the new year is just around the corner.

Kersch took over as deputy PM following the departure of Etienne Schneider (LSAP) from government last year. He is also labour and sport minister. He joined the Bettel government after the 2013 elections, initially as home affairs minister and minister for civil service and administrative reform.

Georges Engel, who leads the LSAP’s group in parliament, and Claude Haagen, a member of parliament and mayor of Diekirch, are being floated as candidates to replace Kersch and Haagen. However, the move could also prompt a reshuffle of mandates between the LSAP’s members of government.

These also include health minister Paulette Lenert, who was voted Luxembourg’s most popular politician is a recent popularity poll. Lenert is widely considered to be at the top of the LSAP’s list for the next elections and could be in line for the deputy-PM position.

Updated on 29 November at 1.40pm to include Romain Schneider’s reaction and the LSAP announcing a press conference for Tuesday.