Consultancy M(a)Gsolutions, founded by CSV politician Marc Glesener, and tax advisory firm Atoz on 20 April presented the results of a poll conducted in Luxembourg from 15 to 23 March 2023. The survey explored what characteristics residents in the grand duchy--both Luxembourg citizens and non-national--expect from politicians.

The survey quizzed 600 people, evenly split between women and men and including 315 Luxembourg nationals (53%) and 285 foreigners (48%). Though non-nationals in the country can vote in local elections, only people with Luxembourg nationality can vote in national elections. 176 (or 29%) respondents were 18 to 34 years old, 222 (37%) respondents were 35 to 54 years old, and 202 respondents (34%) were 55 years of age or older.

Here are a few takeaways from the survey.

Shared priorities, values, solutions are key

More than half of people in Luxembourg (61%) wanted politicians to consider the same issues as they do as “priorities for society.” 57% of survey respondents wanted politicians to share their values, while 49% said they wanted to have a “good agreement” with politicians regarding the path forward and solutions to resolve challenges.

Similar ideological or political principles were less important (39% of respondents cited this), followed by professional profile (11%), centres of interest and lifestyle (10%), or personality (9%).

Overall goals trump personal interest

If a politician were to vote for measures that the people who elected them disagree with, 50% of Luxembourg residents would try to ignore their personal interests and recognise the need for objectives that are more important for society overall. 11% of respondents said their personal interests have no impact on their political choices. 

But 38% of the survey’s respondents said that their interests should be defended by their elected politicians. 31% said the occasional unfavourable measure is acceptable, but that their interests must be maintained in general, while 7% say that it’s a “no-go.” For these 7% of respondents, an elected politician must defend their interests above all.

Ideal politician is reliable, open and communicative

The survey found that 95% of Luxembourg residents think that an elected official should be more reliable than the average person (66% say this should absolutely be the case, while 29% say this should be somewhat the case). 91% responded that elected politicians should be more open to new ideas (52% say this should absolutely be the case and 39% say this should be somewhat the case).

An elected politician should absolutely be more communicative and social than the average, said 47% of survey respondents; 42% said that this is somewhat the case. On the other hand, 38% of respondents said that an elected politician doesn’t really have to be nicer and more pleasant than the average person. 

Competence more important than integrity

Luxembourg residents would prioritise competence over integrity, found the survey. 62% cited competence as the most important characteristic in a politician. In a distant second place, 27% named integrity as the most important characteristic.

9% of survey respondents said that leadership was the most important characteristic for politicians, followed by 3% who said that kindness was the most important characteristic.

Coherence between words and deeds

For 98% of respondents, it is absolutely necessary (62%) or important (36%) for politicians to be coherent and logical in what they say or do. Knowing real-life problems and being able to treat them in a pragmatic manner is important for 97% of survey respondents (60% said it’s absolutely necessary, 37% said it’s important), followed by having a clear project and a vision for society (50% said this is absolutely necessary, 46% said it’s important).

It’s absolutely necessary for politicians to spread positive energy and motivate others, said 29% of survey respondents, while 24% said it’s absolutely necessary for a politician to have self-confidence, a healthy ego and natural authority.

A nod to Finland’s Sanna Marin

In response to a question concerning the former Finnish prime minister’s dance video from last summer, which pictured the politician at a private party with friends, two-thirds (64%) of survey respondents said that politicians should be able to behave as they wish in their private lives: 25% said that they’re relatively indifferent and that politicians should behave as they see fit, and 39% even said it’s a positive thing if politicians are able to “let go.”