© Luc Rollmann
Luc Frieden was elected new CSV president with overwhelming support during the party's national congress in Hesperange, where significant leadership changes and policy directions were outlined amidst high party-internal approval.
The national congress of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) convened in Hesperange on Saturday and, as had already been suspected beforehand, Prime Minister Luc Frieden was elected new CSV president, receiving 96.25% of the vote.
Agriculture Minister Martine Hansen, meanwhile, will take over as deputy party president, having received 95.76% of the vote, same as Esch-sur-Alzette Mayor Christain Weis (97.29%). The duties of secretary general will be shared by MPs Alex Donnersbach and Françoise Kemp, both perceived as representing the younger side of the CSV, and receiving 94.7% of the vote.
Collective efforts
The new party president used the opportunity to address the CSV congress directly and delve into the first months since taking over the government in November last year. Frieden argued much has been achieved already thanks to their collective efforts and a coherent agenda.
While acknowledging that their work is far from over, Frieden cited tax cuts, construction incentives, and agriculture policies as first steps in the right direction. He further vowed that the CSV is committed to implementing the remaining measures on their agenda in the years to come.
An 'inherently European party'
German MEP Sven Simon of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) joined the CSV congress as a guest speaker.
He labelled the CSV an inherently European party and underlined the importance of having strong voices from Luxembourg in their European coalition. He further made the case for improving defence policies on the continent, pointing to the influences of Russia, China, and India as potential threats to European self-determination.
© Monique Kater
