Luc Frieden, Prime Minister of Luxembourg;
Credit: © SIP / Claude Piscitelli
Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden held a press briefing following the meeting of the Government Council (Cabinet) on Wednesday 4 September 2024 – the first such meeting after the summer break.
Among the many topics raised were the Olympics and Paralympics, the Prime Minister’s summer talks with the political leaders of Finland and Sweden (about Russian aggression, NATO membership…), his recent Ireland visit, plus upcoming visits to Hungary and Moldova, Luxembourg’s EU Commissioner nominee, the Fridman affair, developments in the Caritas affair, and national policy priorities.
Speaking about his “very useful” working visit to Dublin on Monday 2 September 2024, Luc Frieden described Ireland as “a very important” partner for Luxembourg within Europe. He noted that the two countries share their strong attachment to international law, as well as their cross-border (economic) dimension.
Prime Minister Frieden went on to defend the recent nomination of Christophe Hansen (CSV) as Luxembourg’s EU Commissioner – a decision which sparked criticism particularly from the LSAP (socialist party). He described Mr Hansen as a good choice for his skills and experience. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will hold interviews with candidates this week, with final decisions expected by mid-September.
The Luxembourg Prime Minister also commented on the so-called Fridman affair, in which Russian oligarch Mikail Fridman is claiming almost €15 billion in compensation from the Grand Duchy for freezing his assets under EU sanctions (liked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine). Luc Frieden noted that Luxembourg is taking the complaint seriously, with the case now headed to an arbitration court.
The Prime Minister spoke at length about the Caritas embezzlement scandal, expressing his own shock and anger at the loss of so much money (€61 million). He reiterated the government’s loss of trust in the current management of Caritas, noting that the organisation is restructuring. He also assured that the state did not lose any taxpayers’ money in this affair. Nevertheless, the state is cancelling existing agreements but willing to make new ones with the new structure. The government decided to continue financing certain national activities, namely those linked to childcare services (crèches, maisons relais) and shelters for refugees and the homeless.
On current national priorities, the Prime Minister mentioned continued progress on energy measures as well as the launch of the pension debate this month.
