After Prime Minister Luc Frieden announced tripartite talks on Wednesday, Luxembourg’s political parties have begun responding to the development. While the Democratic Party (DP) believes the timing is exactly right, the opposition takes a different view.
According to Gilles Baum, head of the DP parliamentary group, it is the right time to convene tripartite talks. He stressed that his party is open to all discussions with social partners. Baum acknowledged that the main focus is likely to be the purchasing power of the population, particularly in light of high energy prices. He also mentioned the competitiveness of businesses, which are starting to “really suffer” due to the energy situation. Additionally, Baum believes the energy crisis also represents the right moment to step up efforts in renewable energy and to bring private individuals and businesses on board.
Fred Keup, head of the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR) parliamentary group, does not believe the current situation is acute enough to require tripartite talks. In his view, the government could have waited to see whether a more severe crisis would emerge in the country. Keup criticised that the government’s direction is not always clear, noting that it long refused to hold tripartite talks only to announce them abruptly. He appeared sceptical about the prospect of a tripartite agreement, pointing out that trade unions have already drawn red lines.
For MP Sam Tanson of the Green Party (Déi Gréng), it was only a matter of time before the prime minister gave in to pressure demanding tripartite talks. She stated that it is evident Frieden did not convene the talks of his own free will, but rather following pressure from social partners and the opposition, who have been saying “for days, if not weeks” that it is high time for tripartite talks. “We are in a crisis situation, we have to look for solutions to manage this crisis”, Tanson said.
The Green Party is of the opinion that low- and medium-level incomes need to be supported. In the view of the opposition party, tax credits could be a useful tool to that end. However, the party also acknowledges that businesses need support for the energy transition. The Green Party has requested a current affairs session in the Chamber of Deputies on the topic for next week.
