Delano: When was your party established and who founded it?

ADR: Our party was born in a social fight over the Luxembourgish pension system between the public and the private sectors. It was created in 1987 and took originally the name of “Aktiounskomitee 5/6 Pension fir jiddereen”. This movement had its origin in Luxembourgish private sector trade unions, among which were prominently the NGL, as well as an independent farmers’ organisation.  It was masterminded by Gast Gibéryen and Roby Mehlen.

Two years later the party, massively supported by the private sector electorate, sent four representatives to parliament. In 1999, after a globally satisfactory reform of the pension system, the party counted seven MPs, its best score until now. Since then, the party has evolved into a moderately conservative, value-oriented party. Relations with the public sector have been normalised and can be considered today as very good. Today, many leading members of the party come from the public sector.

What, if any, are your links to the European blocs?

Our party is a member of ACRE – the “Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe”.

What do you consider the most important issues facing voters in Luxembourg?

We need to defend unanimous decisions in the EU, especially in tax and foreign policy matters. Majority decisions in those areas would represent a direct threat to key economic and political interests of Luxembourg.

We refuse any European taxes.

We need a new policy in the field of asylum, preventing any abuse and illegal immigration.

We need to defend freedom of speech and a free Internet. Free expression nurtures democracy and every point of view should be duly considered and not discriminated against.

We want the EU to respect the sovereignty of its member States.

We wish to reinforce democratic procedures and social standards in the EU.

Europe needs to do more for the welfare of animal and for the protection of our natural environment.

Name one thing you hope to accomplish if any of your candidates are successful?

We should help transform the EU in order to promote a Europe of sovereign nations. Federalism has proven to divide Europe instead of uniting it.

Please name the candidates representing your party in the European elections.

Gast Gibéryen, Tessy Brisbois, Fernand Kartheiser, Fred Keup, Sylvie Mischel and Nicky Stoffel.