MORE FAIRNESS, SECURITY AND RECOGNITION FOR THE SELF-EMPLOYED
Self-employed people take risks every day, assume responsibility, invest and create jobs. In a topical question hour, CSV MP Stéphanie Weydert stressed that the self-employed play a key role in our economy and therefore deserve more recognition, fairness and security.
For years, the CSV has been working to reduce inequalities between employees and the self-employed – especially in the areas of unemployment, pensions and social security. The goal is not to create privileges, but equal treatment for those who become self-employed and take on responsibility.
At the same time, the government is working on a “Paquet Indépendants”, which is to be put on the formal approval track later this year. Contributing spouses (conjoints aidants) are also to be strengthened.
A STRONG STATE THAT TAKES CARE – INCLUDING IN THE ECONOMY
The CSV stands for a strong state that looks after people, businesses and the country, said CSV MP Octavie Modert in an interpellation on the role of the state in the economy. This is not about more or less state, but about a better state: efficient, transparent, pragmatic and responsible.
The Luxembourg model has proven itself especially in times of crisis – whether in the financial crisis, the Covid crisis or the energy and inflation crisis. The state plays an important role in strengthening competitiveness, protecting purchasing power, guaranteeing social cohesion and preparing the country for the challenges of the ecological and digital transition.
The CSV therefore also supports the motion to commission the Conseil économique et social with a new study on the role of the state in the economy. In this way, the Luxembourg model is to be further modernised, strengthened and made more transparent.
A strong economy and a strong state go hand in hand, said Prime Minister Luc Frieden. The state should not replace the free market economy, but provide it with a clear, stable and predictable framework. Luxembourg needs a state that supports, guides and stabilises—without stifling the economy with too much bureaucracy.
STUDENT GRANTS SIMPLIFIED AND UPDATED
Studying should not fail because of lack of financial means, said CSV MP Ricardo Marques. The CSV welcomes the bill on student grants, which will make the system clearer and more coherent.
Among other things, the bill takes better account of the situation of students who study part-time or work alongside their studies. There are also improvements to the mobility grant, the student loan, and a new indexation mechanism is being introduced. In addition to enrolment fees, other costs will also be covered in the future, such as the recognition of diplomas up to €3,800 per academic year.
NEW EUROPEAN SCHOOL IN SCHIFFLANGE
In the south of the country, a new European public school is being built for 500 primary pupils and 1,000 secondary pupils. This project is a concrete response to growing demographics and the more diverse needs of families, said CSV MP Ricardo Marques.
This offer is intended to complement the traditional Luxembourg school system, not replace it.
However, Ricardo Marques once again called for an evaluation of the planned European and international schools, to check whether they truly bring the added value that pupils and their families need.
READING, LEARNING, MEETING: MORE SUPPORT FOR LIBRARIES
Libraries are important places for education and culture, but also a social meeting point, said CSV MP Jean-Paul Schaaf regarding the draft law on support for libraries.
State financial support is being improved and adjusted to cost developments. At the same time, the aid for books, materials, cultural activities, readings and digitisation projects is being regulated more clearly.
For the CSV, this law is an important step to strengthen libraries as public, accessible and vibrant spaces—places where people read, learn, research and meet.
COHERENCE IN THE 2025 PENSION REFORM FOR SPOUERKEESS EMPLOYEES
The 2025 pension reform provides that people who were already active in the public sector before 1 January 1999 do not fall under the new provisions and therefore no longer have to contribute. However, Spuerkeess staff were not included in that framework. This is now being rectified with a new legislative text.
A total of 540 Spuerkeess employees are concerned, said rapporteur Diane Adehm.
THE RIGHT TO ABORTION DEFINITIVELY ANCHORED IN THE CONSTITUTION
A constitutional amendment must always be confirmed by a second vote in the Chamber. The MPs therefore gave their approval by a large majority for the right to abortion to be written into the Constitution.
CSV parliamentary group leader Laurent Zeimet stressed that nothing changes in the current legislation on abortion. Women’s freedom is strengthened, but abortion must never be trivialised.
STRENGTHENING THE OBSERVATOIRE DE L’HABITAT
Luxembourg’s housing market is to get a clearer and more transparent data basis. With the law on the Observatoire de l’habitat, the Observatory’s missions are clearly defined: collecting data, centralising it, analysing it scientifically and making it accessible to the public.
At the same time, independence, governance and data exchange are being enshrined in law, said CSV MP Alex Donnersbach. For the CSV, this is an important step to strengthen trust in the figures and to give housing policy a solid, transparent and objective basis.
FOOD SAFETY FROM THE FIELD TO ON THE GROUND
By implementing an EU regulation, the national framework for the manufacture, import, export, marketing and use of plant protection products is being modernised.
The bill creates clearer responsibilities, greater legal certainty and a coherent organisation of inspections, said the rapporteur of the law, CSV MP Octavie Modert. The focus is on protecting human health, animals and plants, and the environment.
For the CSV, it is important that consumers can rely on safe and healthy food. At the same time, Octavie Modert stressed that plant protection products are necessary in agriculture, and particularly in viticulture, in certain situations to protect crops. That is why clear controls are needed, but also understanding and proportionality vis-à-vis businesses on the ground.
Agriculture Minister Martine Hansen underlined that we also need clear rules on plant protection and that this law creates a clear framework.
DIGITAL FUTURE ALSO A QUESTION OF CLOUD AND ENERGY
In an extended question, CSV MP Laurent Mosar addressed Luxembourg’s and Europe’s digital sovereignty. He wanted to know how Luxembourg is positioning itself in the field of artificial intelligence and how the country intends to secure the necessary infrastructure for it.
The focus was on issues of cloud solutions, data centres, data capacities and especially energy supply. Laurent Mosar stressed that AI can only function if the technical and energy basis is in place.
In the reply, the responsible minister underlined that Luxembourg is focusing on secure, trustworthy infrastructures embedded in Europe. At the same time, it is clear: Luxembourg will not rely on oversized data centres, but on targeted solutions that fit the country’s capacities and strengths.
A MODERN FRAMEWORK FOR RESEARCH
Luxembourg is getting a modernised framework for its research. CSV MP Françoise Kemp welcomed the bill in the Chamber, which adapts the Fonds national de la recherche to developments in recent years.
The reform updates the FNR’s missions, strengthens governance and creates more clarity regarding doctoral training.
For the CSV, strong research is a central prerequisite for innovation, competitiveness, technological sovereignty and sound political decisions. This project makes the FNR fit for the future.
OPPORTUNITIES AND RISKS OF THE INDUSTRIAL ACCELERATOR ACT
In an extended question, CSV MP Laurent Mosar addressed the Industrial Accelerator Act. He wanted to know how this European initiative is supposed to strengthen industry in Europe, how realistic its implementation is, and what opportunities and risks arise for Luxembourg as an open economy.
The focus is on industrial resilience, reducing strategic dependencies and administrative simplification. At the same time, Laurent Mosar warned that a European industrial policy must not tip into excessive protectionism.
EU ENLARGEMENT: AMBITIOUS, FAIR, RESPONSIBLE
CSV parliamentary group leader Laurent Zeimet asked the Prime Minister for clarity on Luxembourg’s position on EU enlargement.
Prime Minister Luc Frieden clearly denied any possible divergences within the government and stressed that Luxembourg supports EU enlargement, but only with clear conditions and strong guarantees in the area of the rule of law.
PROTECT RAINFORESTS, EXPAND SUSTAINABLE FINANCE
The Tropical, Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) is an international initiative intended to help protect tropical rainforests. CSV MP Maurice Bauer wanted to know from the Finance Minister how TFFF works, what opportunities this initiative offers for Luxembourg’s financial centre, and how the Green and Sustainable Finance sector is doing in general.
Luxembourg, said Finance Minister Gilles Roth, is investing 50 million euros over 5 years in this mechanism to protect tropical forests. The investment fund’s headquarters will be in Luxembourg—an important recognition of our financial centre’s expertise in sustainable finance.