As the swearing-in ceremony for the new government approaches, the spotlight is naturally on the composition of the 15-member ministerial team and the allocation of portfolios among the coalition partners. Amidst a flurry of speculation and rumours, the veil is set to be lifted on Wednesday evening. However, our colleagues at RTL Radio have been asking around behind the scenes and the information they obtained sheds light on some intriguing insights.
As expected, Luc Frieden, the government formator, assumes the role of Prime Minister. He takes over from Xavier Bettel, who held the position for the past decade.
Gilles Roth, MP and Mayor of Mamer, is entrusted with the Ministry of Finance. Martine Hansen, co-president of the parliamentary group from the north, is anticipated to take charge of the domains of agriculture and consumer protection. Léon Gloden, the mayor of Grevenmacher, takes on the role of Minister of the Interior.
Elisabeth Margue, the young co-chair of the Christian party, steps into the position of Minister of Justice, succeeding Sam Tanson.
Georges Mischo, the mayor of Esch-sur-Alzette, is appointed to lead two portfolios: he will serve as the Minister of Sports and Labor.
Serge Wilmes, First Alderman of Luxembourg City,is set to step into the responsibilities previously held by Joëlle Welfring and Marc Hansen in the domains of the environment and the civil service.
Martine Deprez, the current member of the Council of State, is the chosen figure to take charge of these portfolios, taking over from the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP). This decision also implies that the mathematics teacher will forego the presidency of the Council of State in the upcoming spring.
According to our information, two CSV elected officials are aspiring to other roles. Christophe Hansen is expected to be recommended as the European Commissioner to replace Nicolas Schmit, whose mandate concludes in 2024. Additionally, the party president, Claude Wiseler, is poised to become the President of the Chamber of Deputies.
Many of the DP-elected officials joining the government are familiar faces, having been involved in governance over the past five or even ten years.
Xavier Bettel will assume the role of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for foreign trade. According to the information obtained by our colleagues at RTL.lu, Claude Meisch is set to retain control of the entire Ministry of Education but will also take over the critical Ministry of Housing.
Lex Delles is expected to take on the economy and energy portfolios, with the question remaining whether he will personally head the SME and tourism portfolios or delegate them to another DP politician.
Recently appointed DP Minister Max Hahn will retain his portfolios of Family Affairs and the Greater Region but will also take charge of immigration. Yuriko Backes, relinquishing her position at the helm of the important Ministry of Finance to Gilles Roth, is set to take over Defence and Development Cooperation.
The last two positions granted to the DP go to individuals who are relatively less known nationally. Eric Thill, the mayor of Schieren, ranked 4th on the DP’s North list during the legislative elections, becomes the Minister of Culture and Tourism.
Finally, the DP has entrusted ministerial responsibilities to Stéphanie Obertin. A 49-year-old general practitioner, she finished 11th on the DP list in the Central district. She is appointed Minister of Digitalization and Research.
