The CSV and DP's coalition negotiations have entered a pivotal phase, with critical dialogues on business growth, labour market stability, housing affordability, and environmental sustainability steering the course of talks with social partners on Monday.
Coalition negotiations between the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) and the Democratic Party (DP) on Monday morning focused on businesses and the labour market. "We want to have strong businesses, interesting jobs, and a well functioning public service", explained CSV leader Luc Frieden while addressing the press later on Monday afternoon.
He went on to highlight that the parties were there to listen and spoke of a general awareness that the situation is difficult. They aim to create new job opportunities and secure existing ones. Both the CSV and the DP assured that they are resolved on keeping the social dialogue open.
Discussions were also held with both unions and employers' representatives, including some from the construction sector. Maintaining jobs is particularly difficult here, and has to be balanced with the need for more housing, explained officials at the press briefing.
As for investment funds, which are of particular interest to employers' representatives, the future coalition aims to remain competitive on the international market.
Party officials also showed themselves satisfied with the talks held with representatives from nature and climate protection organisations. They acknowledged the existence of both a climate and a biodiversity crisis, which they want to tackle through administrative simplifications.
Over the next two weeks, specialised task forces are now said to work intensively on these issues. Their ambition is to have the coalition agreement ready after the All Saints' holidays.
What did unions think?
The Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL), the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB), and the General Confederation of the Civil Service (CGFP) used the invitation from the negotiating parties to reiterate their demands from the future government.
According to OGBL president Nora Back, their priorities are labour rights, the wage indexation, pensions, housing, and ecology. In terms of policies, she anticipates potential conflicts with both the CSV and the DP.
For LCGB president Patrick Dury, talks with the future coalition on Monday morning went well. They were able to share their priorities and Dury argued that the CSV and the DP now require time to build a stable government.
CGFP president Romain Wolff brought up the issue of promised tax reforms, noting that both negotiating parties have retained reliefs in their respective manifestos.
What about employers' representatives?
Employers' representatives mainly focused on investment funds and housing. Also addressed were the issues of taxes, as well as labour and social insurances, explained Michel Reckinger, president of the Luxembourg Employers' Association (UEL), in conversation with the press.
Another demand is that the government form concrete housing objectives, said Reckinger. Short-term measures might be unavoidable, according to employers' representatives.
Is there room left for environment protection?
Last to visit Senningen Castle on Monday were the Sustainability Council and the Ecological Movement (Mouveco). They presented their assessment of pertinent climate and environment challenges. Mouveco president Blanche Weber stressed the need to keep eyes on the target.
Sustainability Council president Romain Poulles described the encounter as overall positive and that politicians had an open ear for them.
