During a spirited debate in Luxembourg's Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday afternoon, the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) proposed examining a sugar tax to combat the country's rising obesity levels, a motion that ultimately failed to pass.

Obesity took centre stage in the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday afternoon, spurred by the LSAP as they raised concerns about the increasing prevalence of obesity among children and adults, posing significant health risks to the population.

LSAP MP Dan Biancalana initiated the discussion, expressing interest in potential government strategies to address the issue, including the possibility of implementing a sugar tax.

Biancalana emphasised the need for a comprehensive examination of various taxation models, stating, "It's not about adopting the French or British model 1:1 […] but I think it's worth considering." He underscored the importance of collaboration with the Minister of Finance in exploring options related to taxing unhealthy products such as sugar, salt, and fats.

Despite the LSAP's advocacy, the motion did not secure a majority in the Chamber of Deputies.

MP Jeff Boonen of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) voiced reservations, highlighting concerns regarding the potential repercussions of such a tax. "There's not much room for manoeuvre in a small country like Luxembourg […] The industry is out of reach and if we start with the products, food prices will go up and there is a risk that consumers will buy their food across the border or resort to cheap food," the CSV MP argued.

Boonen stressed the need for a cautious approach, citing Denmark's decision to abolish similar taxes. He advocated for coordinated action at the European level to address the issue effectively.

Meanwhile, the Chamber of Deputies unanimously passed a resolution put forward by Democratic Party (DP) MP Gusty Graas, condemning the conduct of the recent presidential elections in Russia.