Luxembourg Coalition Talks Expected to Conclude by End of Next Week

On Monday 6 November 2023, Luc Frieden, the formateur of the next government of Luxembourg, provided members of the press with a brief update on the status of the ongoing coalition talks between the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) and the Democratic Party (DP).

This week marks the start of a new "decisive" phase in the negotiations to form a new government. The twelve thematic working groups have now completed their work and the two delegations are currently analysing their reports.

"I am extremely satisfied with the preparatory work seen up to now," said Luc Frieden, who was tasked by the Grand Duke of Luxembourg with leading the coalition talks. He also praised Monday's "constructive, respectful discussions", adding that the two parties had demonstrated a "willingness to compromise". He specified that both parties have the "same objective" in the subjects discussed (strengthening purchasing power, fighting poverty, building more housing, etc.); it is now a matter of working out the details and bringing the two parties' election manifestoes closer together.

Luc Frieden stressed that negotiations are a "package" and "nothing is decided until everything is decided".

Should the discussions keep up the current pace, however, he is confident that the CSV and DP delegations can conclude the coalition negotiations by the end of next week. He stressed his wish, and that of the delegations, to continue negotiating "as quickly and as intensively as possible" in order to quickly form a new government, not least amid a challenging international situation paired with various challenges in Luxembourg.

When asked if the new government would represent a rupture or continuity in Luxembourgish politics, Luc Frieden noted that a new government with different parties represents "a new start" and brings "new energy".

The coalition talks will continue on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 November, and possibly also on Friday 10 November 2023. There are no plans for discussions on Thursday 9 November 2023, due to outgoing Prime Minister Xavier Bettel's planned attendance at an international conference about the situation in the Middle East, although the working groups will continue to work on finalising their documents. Luc Frieden is also set to deliver an interim report to Grand Duke Henri on Wednesday.