In his traditional address on Christmas Eve, Grand Duke Henri outlines the most important moments of the year and the challenges that await us in 2023.

Grand Duke Henri starts his speech by talking about the environment. The results of the recent COP summit in Egypt are "disappointing for many of us," the Grand Duke says. The head of state regrets that political leaders failed to "make concrete progress in terms of CO2 emission reductions and the renunciation of fossil fuels."

The year 2022 was also marked, of course, by military conflicts. For Grand Duke Henri, "the Russian invasion of Ukraine is not just a brutal war of aggression but calls into question everything we have put in place since 1945 to achieve peaceful coexistence: solving conflicts through dialogue, not violence." The Grand Duke also cites the conflicts in Iran and Afghanistan, where "women and girls are mistreated, mercilessly repressed, and sometimes even killed." Helping these women and girls is "particularly important to me and the Grand Duchess."

Faced with these threats and concerns, "I remain convinced that Luxembourg has the means to face these difficult times. Our unwavering commitment to peace in Europe is one of our main strengths."

Furthermore, "Luxembourg is an open country that has been able to provide a stable living environment to a considerable number of people, thanks to the close cooperation we have established with Germany, Belgium, and France as part of the Greater Region. Life in Luxembourg is based on the principle of living together."

'Many residents are experiencing financial difficulties'

This principle of living together "is in turn based on a fair distribution of our wealth," the Grand Duke says. The head of state acknowledges that "many residents are experiencing financial difficulties and are on the verge of poverty. They remain dependent on our support." Referencing the last tripartite, the Grand Duke explains that in order to guarantee social peace, "the government, trade unions, and employers negotiate to find compromises based on their respective demands."

Fighting for more democracy, human rights, welcoming those who are threatened in their country, environmental protection… All these struggles, the Grand Duke continues, "are not empty words or old clichés, but the pillars on which our future rests."

While we do not know what 2023 will bring, "I am certain that we Luxembourgers, our foreign fellow citizens, all those who come to work in the Grand Duchy from our neighbouring countries will give everything to maintain our social model."

Grand Duke Henri concludes his speech by wishing everyone, in Luxembourgish, French, German, Portuguese, and English, a "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."