Which draft laws will be passed this year?

One year from today, the people of Luxembourg will have cast their votes in two elections. The country's municipal elections will take place on 11 June 2023, followed by the national Chamber elections on either 1 or 8 October 2023. Officials still have to settle on a date for the latter.

Until then, a number of important events are still scheduled to take place, starting with the annual State of the Nation address by Prime Minister Xavier Bettel on Tuesday 11 October. In his speech, the Democratic Party (DP) politician will outline the administration's goals for the final year of the legislative period.

Though the PM usually speaks for at least one hour, it is rare that a concrete proposal is announced. To illustrate, Bettel stated in his last address that no taxes would be raised and that a study would be launched to assess the Grand Duchy's path to industrial decarbonisation by 2040. This year, similar announcements regarding tax reliefs for single parents are expected from the PM.

The Chamber of Deputies is expected to pass a number of draft laws before the end of the remaining legislative period. These include the disputed agriculture law, to which many Luxembourgish farmers have already voiced their opposition. The introduction of livestock quotas is at the heart of the controversy.

Healthcare

In the health sector, all eyes are on the draft law 8009 concerned with ambulatory care and the decentralisation of hospital activities, which should resolve administrative issues around the new MRI at the Medical Centre Potaschberg. Another draft law facilitating cooperation between doctors and paramedical staff is further hoped to pass the Chamber.

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Draft law 7523 is concerned with the creation of Luxembourg's first medicines agency, which will carry out analyses and evaluate the use of different types of medication.

Another law to be passed before the end of the legislative period is access to free contraceptives, which was listed as a priority in the coalition agreement.

The question around the vaccine mandate also remains open. The State Council already refused to provide the government with an opinion on its preliminary draft bill. As a reaction to this decision, the government sent a letter with no fewer than 42 questions around a vaccine mandate to the Council, which is expected to provide answers in the near future. The preliminary draft law will be adjusted based on the response, followed by a decision on whether to make it a priority or keep it on hold until needed.

Remaining on the issue of Covid-related laws, a new bill has to be created by the end of the month since the current regulations expire on 30 October.

Draft law 7524 is then concerned with improving the quality of senior homes by increasing price transparency and allowing for better control mechanisms.

Judiciary

On 30 November, the new Uerschterhaff penitentiary for remand prisoners, able to house up to 400 inmates, is expected to open in Sanem. The facility is thereby supposed to relieve the Schrassig prison where more than half of inmates, about 300, are remand prisoners.

In the realm of the economy, draft law 7650 is hoped to increase consumer protection by making it possible for class-action suits to be filed. These can help individuals who have been wronged by big corporations assemble and fight injustices in a court of law.

Draft law 7323, which will create a judiciary council and introduce a statute for judges, will definitely go through. However, there are also a number of draft bills that are uncertain to still be passed in the current legislative period, including the reform of youth protection and the introduction of a penal law for minors, the non-profit law, and the whistleblower law.

Housing

Several draft laws surrounding housing in Luxembourg have already been filed. Project 7937 is concerned with the creation of more affordable housing opportunities and a reform of individualised aids.

Draft bill 7642 will reform the rent laws. In the future, costs of real-estate agencies are thus to be shared equally between tenant and landlord. Furthermore, regulations around shared living are to be revised.

Defence

A number of laws concerned with defence and internal security are also expected to be passed before next year's elections. The Luxembourg Army is to be modernised and reorganised while police officers should be equipped with body cameras.

Sports

The world of sports will focus on the passing of draft law 7956, which is concerned with the construction of a velodrome in Mondorf-les-Bains. The State Council still has to issue an opinion on the matter. Also, regulations over leave in relation to sports activities is set to be revised.