Catch up on this week’s headlines and some of stories that didn’t make it to the front page in Delano’s roundup of the goings-on in politics. 

What’s the big deal?

It was a full house on Monday, with four ministers speaking during a press conference about an update to Luxembourg’s , which must be submitted to the European Commission by the end of June.

Brussels in 2019 had mandated all EU countries to submit plans setting out how they will reduce CO2 emissions by 55% by 2030. The documents are up for review this year, allowing countries to set more ambitious targets, adjust policies and take into account the latest climate science and research.

Under the new plan, Luxembourg wants to increase the share of renewables from 11% in 2020 to 35-37% by 2030. This is up from a previous target of 25%. It is also committing to decrease energy demand by 44% by 2030 by becoming more energy efficient. This compares to a previous target that ranged between 40-44%.

Analyses by Statec show that a new and updated catalogue of 197 measures in the plan should allow Luxembourg to reduce emissions by 58% by 2030.

From parliament

·      After kicking off a debate in parliament about the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia in the war against Ukraine, the ADR was heavily rebuked by other parties in parliament who chastised the conservative right-wing group for making light of the suffering of the Ukrainian people, blaming economic hardship on sanctions--rather than Russia’s actions--and suggesting that Nato and Western allies had provoked Russia. They also slammed the party for suggesting that allied partners did not want peace but said this was only possible if president Vladimir Putin is open to negotiations and would be held to account.

·      The government has cancelled an agreement with the Luxembourg Science Center in Differdange after claims of financial abuse. The centre’s director, Nicolas Didier, also heads up the company GGM11, which supplies the centre’s interactive experiment stations. The centre, in turn, paid inflated prices as a result, an investigation by media outlet Reporter revealed. The public prosecutor has launched a preliminary probe, and the ministry hopes to re-negotiate its agreement over the coming six months’ notice period. The state has paid €21m in subsidies to the centre since 2017.

Elections

·      If elections were held on Sunday, Luxembourg voters would confirm the DP-LSAP-déi Gréng coalition in office, said. The CSV would remain the biggest group in parliament but lose four seats compared to its current mandate. The Pirate Party would be the big winner, increasing its number of seats in parliament from two to six. Xavier Bettel (DP) with 30% popular support would remain the most likely candidate for prime minister.

·      A years-long discussion on mayors and senior local councillors holding positions in parliament meanwhile is not progressing, with lawmakers voting down a resolution put forward by the ADR this week demanding that MPs elected during the 11 June local elections should either give up their seat in parliament or reject the local post. Déi Lénk submitted a draft law abolishing double mandates to push for a decision on the matter.

·      Reproductive health group Planning Familial in the meantime joined a growing list of NGOs and associations to . This includes making abortion a constitutional right and extending the delay to have the procedure from 12 to 14 weeks, removing the statute of limitation for sex crimes and improving sexual education in schools.

Number of the week

Foreigners in the 11 June local elections

Brussels calling

·      Bettel on Wednesday was in Strasbourg, giving a speech to the European Parliament. Pleading for solidarity on immigration and Ukraine, the Luxembourg PM also harshly criticised legislation in Hungary that heavily restricts depictions and discussion of homosexuality and gender reassignment in media and schools. “If there’s anyone in this house who thinks that you become a homosexual by watching the television or listening to a song, then you’ve not understood anything,” he said. 

·      Bettel was at the parliament just one day after its president, Roberta Metsola, for 10 days after an investigation into claims of bullying and harassment. This is the second time that Semedo has been sanctioned for mistreatment of her staff.

·      The European Commission meanwhile has sent several letters of formal notice and reasoned opinions to Luxembourg, reminders for the country to transpose different directives into national law. This includes EU rules on seasonal workers, anti-terrorism, work-life balance, the internal electricity market, road safety and roadworthiness tests. The notices and opinions form part of infringement procedures, which--if Luxembourg fails to address the gaps in its legislation--will result in a referral to the Court of Justice of the European Union.  

Diplomatic relations

·      Luxembourg is set to this year, the foreign ministry said after a meeting that assembled the country’s diplomatic corps this week. The country is present in West Africa with embassies in Senegal, Mali and Niger. Embassies are also scheduled to open this year in Costa Rica and South Korea.

·      Defence minister François Bausch (déi Gréng) on Friday is participating in the latest meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Ramstein, Germany. The group is an alliance of 54 countries supporting Ukraine in response to Russia’s attack on the country and coordinates military aid.

·      Justice minister Sam Tanson (déi Gréng) earlier this week meanwhile took part in a Vendôme Group meeting, an informal platform of the justice ministers of the Benelux, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. The ministers discussed routes to more efficiently freeze sanctioned Russian funds and the possibility to seize those assets.

Quote of the week

Located at the very heart of Europe and with such a multicultural and multilingual landscape, your country perfectly represents the diversity and openness that we as Europeans are so proud of.

Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament

Metsola spoke during a joint press conference with Bettel on 19 April ahead of a speech by the Luxembourg premier to the plenary.