(L-R) Claude Wiseler, head of the CSV delegation; Luc Frieden, formateur; Xavier Bettel, head of the DP delegation; Credit: © SIP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen

On Wednesday 11 October 2023, representatives of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) and the Democratic Party (DP) gathered for a first plenary meeting of coalition negotiations at Château de Senningen.

Following his appointment by the Grand Duke of Luxembourg as "formateur" of the next government, Luc Frieden (CSV) invited representatives of both parties for an initial meeting on Wednesday. These talks will determine whether the CSV and the DP can agree on a programme of government in the coming weeks and thus form a coalition. Until a new government is formed, the current government remains in office.

Claude Wiseler is head of the CSV delegation, whilst Xavier Bettel is head of the DP delegation.

This first meeting saw the CSV and the DP delegations agree on the formation of the following twelve thematic working groups within negotiations:

- the fight against poverty

- housing (including the acceleration of procedures)

- the environment, climate, biodiversity and renewable energy

- public finance and taxation

- health (including social security)

- justice and security

- education (including research, higher education, vocational training and non-formal education)

- the economy and labour (e.g. work-family life balance; including agriculture, viticulture, tourism, consumer protection, industry, the financial centre, small and medium-sized enterprises and energy)

- Europe (including defence, cooperation, the Greater Region and international relations)

- reception and migration

- the organisation of "living together" and quality of life (including spatial planning, mobility, culture, sport, the elderly, volunteering, equal opportunities, specific needs, youth and family)

- the modern state (including digitalisation, media, the civil service, municipalities and infrastructure)

Various topics not included in the list above will be directly discussed in plenary.

The next plenary meetings are scheduled for Thursday 12, Friday 13 and Monday 16 October 2023.

The following entities will be invited to upcoming plenary meetings: the Inspectorate of Finance (Ministry of Finance); STATEC; the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF; financial watchdog); the Commissariat aux Assurances (CAA; insurance commission); the General Inspectorate of Social Security (IGSS); the National Health Fund (CNS); the ADEM employment agency; the Luxembourg Red Cross; Caritas Luxembourg; the OGBL, LCGB and CGFP trade unions; the Luxembourg Employers' Association (UEL); Mouvement Écologique; the High Council for Sustainable Development (CSDD).