“There are no personal problems, just major differences.” This was the phrase to take away from the face-off between (CSV) and (LSAP) on RTL on 29 September. While a coalition between the two parties is mathematically possible, some socialists are sticking to a harder “anything but Frieden” line. This line was embodied in 2013 by a young Fayot, who published a pamphlet criticising his future opponent, then the minister for finance and justice. It’s a view now taken up by another young LSAP member, Max Leners.
But the context has changed. In 2013, a CSV-LSAP coalition had become impossible. In 2023, it is plausible.
The main differences between the two parties concern tax, economic policy and housing. However, these differences are not insurmountable, according to Fayot, who answered “yes” to the question of whether the two parties could govern together.
The lines Xavier Bettel won’t cross
Potential allies were discussed on Radio 100,7 during an interview with (DP).
The head of the DP list drew a few lines in the sand: there will be no allying with a party that advocates a reduction in working hours (the LSAP in this case) or with a party that advocates a retrograde family policy (the CSV, suspected of promoting the so-called “housewife model”) or with a party that is too lax on security.
Speaking to l’Essentiel about taxation, Bettel reaffirmed his view that “tax should be fair, but not a deterrent,” which echoes his stance against taxing high incomes and the wealthy.
Meanwhile, these are the things the LSAP is arguing for. “Wealth tax should not be a taboo,” replied (LSAP) via Virgule.
The ADR defends itself
Controversy has followed the ADR surrounding its alleged links with the European far right.
The party had lodged a defamation complaint with Luxembourg’s independent broadcasting authority (Alia) against RTL Radio over its links with the French association Civitas, which was recently dissolved by the French government for anti-Semitism. Alia closed the case without taking any further action. (ADR) then had to attempt to justify, on Radio 100,7, why ADR vice president and communications head Dan Hardy had, allegedly, symbols used by German neo-Nazi groups on his Instagram profile. For a similar reason, another parliamentary candidate was removed from the lists last July.
These are “interpretations” by journalists, according to the ADR president. And while he says that CSV activists have told him that they would like a coalition with the ADR, the leadership of the CSV has ruled it out. As have the DP, LSAP and déi Gréng.
In his piece in Virgule on 5 October, Keup said that “we are generally compared to the extreme right in an attempt to demonise us. In my view, this is motivated by a certain fear of us in Luxembourg politics. A fear that we might one day become too strong, given that our ideas often represent the views of a majority of Luxembourgers.” In the same interview, Keup also argued in favour of selective immigration.
The post of prime minister should go to the strongest party.
“You don’t fight populists--and there are populists in Luxembourg--by going after them,” says in a Tageblatt column. The man has kept a low profile since the end of his term at the head of the European Commission four years ago. He is following the election campaign “like a voter.” But that doesn’t stop him from sharing his opinions.
One of those opinions regards tripartite coalitions, which, he says, are above all a means of putting the CSV out of the running. “A two-party coalition with the largest party has always been possible,” he insists, suspecting that the current governing coalition would like to continue if they get the numbers.
Another opinion is on Frieden, whom he describes as a “natural candidate.”
Another is on the post of prime minister: out of respect for the electorate, says Juncker, it should go to the strongest party.
And, finally, on the rise of right-wing politics in Europe, he is worried. “If the far right in Luxembourg had a leading candidate, it would get far more votes than the ADR, which is not a far-right party,” he observes. At the same time, he is pleased that his party (CSV) refuses any agreement with a party it considers populist.
The latest controversies
The controversy of the week was caused by Reporter, which looked into the expense accounts of coalition ministers and criticised the practices of and Franz Fayot, as well as Paulette Lenert and (LSAP).
Another controversy: is Luxembourg politics too macho? Yes, according to seven candidates: Liz Braz (LSAP), Jana Degrott (DP), Tanja Duprez (déi Gréng), Maxime Miltgen (LSAP), Amela Skenderovic (DP), (déi Gréng) and Line Wies (déi Lénk). They have joined forces to denounce the sexist remarks they face via a video on Instagram.
This article in Paperjam. It has been translated and edited for Delano.