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Luxembourg has a parliamentary form of government with a constitutional monarchy by inheritance. Under the constitution of 1868, as amended, executive power is exercised by the Grand Duke and the Council of Government (cabinet), which consists of a prime minister and several other ministers. The prime minister is the leader of the political party or coalition of parties having the most seats in parliament.
Legislative power is vested in the Chamber of Deputies, elected directly to 5-year terms. A second body, the "Conseil d'Etat" (Council of State), composed of 21 ordinary citizens appointed by the Grand Duke, advises the Chamber of Deputies in the drafting of legislation. The responsibilities of the members of the Conseil d'Etat are extracurricular to their normal professional duties.
Luxembourg law is a composite of local practice, legal tradition, and French, Belgian, and German systems. The apex of the judicial system is the Superior Court of Justice, whose judges are appointed by the Grand Duke.
There are also several minor parties.
Since the end of World War II, the Christian Social Party (CSV) has usually been the dominant partner in governing coalitions. The Roman Catholic-oriented CSV resembles Christian Democratic parties in other west European countries and enjoys broad popular support. However, in June 1999, national elections ushered in a new government. For the first time since 1974, the Socialist Party (LSAP) ceded its junior coalition position with the long-reigning CSV majority to the liberal Democratic Party (DP).
The DP is a center party, drawing support from the professions, merchants, and urban middle class. Like other west European liberal parties, it advocates both social legislation and minimum government involvement in the economy. It also is strongly pro-NATO. In the opposition since 1984, the DP had been a partner in the three previous consecutive coalition governments.
The Communist Party (PCL), which received 10%-18% of the vote in national elections from World War II to the 1960s, won only two seats in the 1984 elections, one in 1989, and none in 1994. Its small remaining support lies in the "steel belt" of the industrialized south.
The Green Party has received growing support since it was officially formed in 1983. It opposes both nuclear weapons and nuclear power and supports environmental and ecological preservation measures. This party generally opposes Luxembourg's military policies, including its membership in NATO.
National elections are held at least every 5 years and municipal elections every 6 years. In the June 2004 parliamentary elections, the CSV won 24, the LSAP 14, the DP 10, the Green Party 7, and the ADR (a single-issue party that emerged from the LSAP focused on pension rights) 5. The New Left and the Communist Party lost their single seat as a result of campaigning separately. The Democratic Party which had become the junior coalition partner in 1999 registered heavy losses. The long-reigning Christian Socialist (CSV) was the main winner, partly due to the personal popularity of the prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker (CSV), who has as yet not made any indication as to his preferred coalition partner.
Somewhat unexpectedly, the Socialists gained ground in the October 10, 1999 municipal elections, with candidates taking 34% of municipal seats nationwide, including seven town mayorships. In Luxembourg City, the Grand Duchy's largest municipality, the electorate followed its postwar voting pattern and chose Liberal Democrat Paul Helminger, who had been named to finish Lydie Polfer's term when she became Foreign Minister.
see also Luxembourg legislative election, 2004
Country Name
Conventional long form: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Conventional short form: Luxembourg
Local long form: Grand-Duché de Luxembourg
Local short form: Luxembourg
Country code: LU
Government Type: Constitutional Monarchy
Capital: The City of Luxembourg
Administrative divisions
3 districts: Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg
see also: Districts of Luxembourg
Independence: 1839 (from the Netherlands)
National holiday: National Day, 23 June (1921) (public celebration of the Grand Duke's birthday)
Constitution: 17 October 1868, occasional revisions
Legal system: based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
Head of state: Grand Duke Henri (since 7 October 2000, after abdication of his father Grand Duke Jean).
See also: List of Grand Dukes of Luxembourg
Head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker (since 1 January 1995) and Vice Prime Minister Lydie POLFER (since 7 August 1999).
See also: List of Prime Ministers of Luxembourg.
Cabinet: Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch
Elections: The monarch is hereditary. The prime minister and vice prime minister are appointed by the monarch, following popular election to the Chamber of Deputies; they are responsible to the Chamber of Deputies. The government is currently a coalition of the CSV and DP.
Legislative branch
The unicameral Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des Deputes) is made up of 60 seats. Members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms.
Elections: Last held 13 June 1999. The next election will be held 13 June 2004, coinciding with Benelux, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NATO, NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, Zangger Committee
Flag: See Flag of Luxembourg.
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