Emotions ran high as the 2023 budget debate concluded on Thursday morning, with MPs expressing their frustrations with some rather strong language.

A group of young people visiting the Chamber on Thursday morning were treated to behaviour outside of the usual practices as a lively debate took place, with MPs coming to verbal blows by the end.

Gestreits an der Chamber / Reportage Marc Hoscheid

The meeting began with a discussion of reduced subscription taxes for certain energy sources. CSV MP Laurent Mosar criticised Luxembourg's approach to these on Wednesday, saying the reduced taxes no longer applied to nuclear energy and gas, thus violating European standards.

The Greens' François Benoy and the LSAP's Dan Kersch accused the CSV of wanting to subsidise climate-damaging energy resources. However, when Marc Goergen of the Pirate Party accused Benoy of painting a rose-tinted image of Luxembourg's energy policies, the latter lost his temper. The following exchange took place:

François Benoy: "Mr Goergen, are you claiming in all seriousness that I said we have done enough in this area?"
Marc Goergen: "You drew up the report saying that ..."
François Benoy: "Sorry Mr Goergen, sorry, but that is beyond the pale! Listen to my speech again, that is such a false assumption."
Marc Goergen: "So you're saying, you aren't doing enough?"
François Benoy: "That is the opposite of what I said, Mr Goergen, it is the opposite".

The heated exchanges did not stop there. After Minister Franz Fayot labelled the ADR party as "extremely right-wing" due to their demands to reduce development aid to 0.7% of gross national income, ADR MP Fred Keup took offence.

Fred Keup: "Fool!"
Fernand Etgen: "Please, Mr Keup, please Mr Keup!"
Fred Keup: "There's a limit!"
Fernand Etgen: "Stop! There is a limit, you're right, but also for the manner of expression."
Franz Fayot: "Mr President, I have served in the Chamber for six years, and as minister for 2.5 years. And in all that time I have never been called a fool in the Chamber."

After a long back-and-forth with numerous speakers, CSV party president Gilles Roth defended the ADR party against allegations of right-wing extremism, while simultaneously condemning the language used by Keup.

Needless to say, Thursday's Chamber session did not paint a good image of the parliamentary members. However, the budget for 2023 was passed by 31 to 29 votes. Once the Christmas holidays have concluded, the election year will begin in earnest.