Latest popularity ranking of Luxembourg politicians unveiled

Five months have passed since the legislative elections propelled the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) back into power, marking a significant return to the limelight for its members after a decade in opposition.

The first part of the "Politmonitor" survey focusses on the perceived "likeability" and "competence" of politicians. Notably, the survey underscores a notable resurgence in popularity for CSV members, particularly those serving in governmental roles. However, as the poll reveals, ministerial appointments alone do not always guarantee a high ranking.

The CSV's resurgence

Luc Frieden, ranked 5th in 2023, has surged two spots to secure the 3rd position, bolstered by a marked increase in both sympathy and perceived competence, pivotal factors in the ranking. This advancement has propelled Frieden ahead of Lydie Polfer, who has been less visible this year. The Prime Minister also benefitted from the departure of Jean Asselborn. The former minister of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP), nearly uncontested as the Grand Duchy's most popular politician for years, has retired from politics and is no longer included in the survey. Nevertheless, Frieden still trails some way behind his two rivals Xavier Bettel and Paulette Lenert.

Luc Frieden at a European summit on the war in Ukraine and Gaza, 22 March 2024. / © JONAS ROOSENS / ANP MAG / ANP via AFP

Amidst a diverse top 10, Frieden is joined by fellow party members Martine Hansen (8th), the new Minister of Agriculture, and Claude Wiseler (10th), now serving as President of the Chamber of Deputies. Serge Wilmes, Minister for the Environment, experienced a modest decline, slipping from 10th to 13th position compared to the previous year. Despite ascending from a municipal executive board member in the capital to a ministerial role, Wilmes' rating saw a dip, marking a minor disappointment in his trajectory.

Meanwhile, Gilles Roth has risen to the top, claiming the 15th spot. As Minister of Finance, a highly technical position, Roth will have to tackle a number of important issues, including the long-awaited tax reform.

Martine Deprez, the newly appointed Minister of Health and Social Security, enters the ranking at 21st position. She too faces a number of major challenges, including the implementation of direct settlement of medical bills (tiers payant) and the thorny issue of pension reform.

Georges Mischo (24th), Minister of Sport and Labour, holds two portfolios offering chances to distinguish himself. The labour market, one the one hand, is one of the country's driving forces and often a source of good news, despite tensions in certain sectors. On the other hand, a strong showing from Luxembourg at the Paris Olympics this summer could boost his popularity.

Elisabeth Margue, ranked 26th, also showed an impressive improvement in her "competence and sympathy" rating after co-chairing the CSV and becoming Minister of Justice.

Finally, Léon Gloden, Minister for Home Affairs, occupies the 31st position. He will have to deal with a "divisive" post, split between security issues, firm action, and solidarity, exemplified by the controversial begging ban in Luxembourg City.

Political heavyweights hold strong

While the Prime Minister secures a respectable 3rd place in the latest rankings, he remains overshadowed by the two enduring heavyweights from the past five years.

Xavier Bettel, now serving as Minister for Foreign Affairs, claims the top spot, leveraging his decade-long tenure as Prime Minister and the electoral success of his party. Now with a formidable international presence, Bettel is all but certain to remain a force to be reckoned with on the national stage.

Xavier Bettel, who became Vice Prime Minister after a successful election campaign, tops the list. / © JOHN THYS / AFP

Relegated to the opposition, former Minister of Health Paulette Lenert makes incremental progress, securing the 2nd position. Returning to her role as a Member of Parliament, Lenert faces the challenge of sustaining her elevated position following her remarkable ascent in 2020. But for now, the scores of the rest of the opposition seem to suggest: There's Paulette Lenert… and the others!

© Michal Cizek / AFP

Within the Democratic Party (DP), Claude Meisch is ranked rather low (30th), with an overall drop in both his "likeability" and "competence" ratings. Despite maintaining a prominent profile, Meisch faces the arduous task of balancing responsibilities as Minister of Education AND Minister of Housing. Meanwhile, Taina Bofferding of the LSAP retains a favourable position at 9th place, wielding significant influence as President of the LSAP parliamentary group in the Chamber of Deputies. In contrast, Franz Fayot, also from the LSAP, faces a setback, trailing behind at 19th place despite previous service as Minister of the Economy.

For the Green Party (déi Gréng), François Bausch maintains a robust position at 12th place, buoyed by his extensive governmental experience. Although recognised for his competence, Bausch experiences a slight decline in likeability ratings.

The rising stars

Lex Delles, President of the DP, asserts his influence at 5th place, solidifying his position as a key figure within both his party and the government. His recent appointment as Minister of the Economy underscores the momentum, he has been able to create and maintain. Yuriko Backes advances to the 11th place. Joining the government in early 2022 after a lengthy but relatively understated political career, Backes' inclusion certainly represents a significant asset for the DP.

Max Hahn, Minister for Family Affairs, occupies the 16th spot, leveraging his experience garnered from years in the Chamber of Deputies to make a notable impact within the government, which he joined only a few months ago.

Within the opposition ranks, Sam Tanson and Sven Clement stand out at 6th and 7th positions, respectively. While both share equal scores, Tanson, as the former lead candidate of the Green Party, holds a slight edge in terms of name recognition, having recently exited the government.

Despite equal scores, the two face very different challenges. While Sam Tanson, one of the few elected Green Party MPs, has the task of reviving her party after its heavy defeat, Sven Clement continues to propel the Pirate Party forward, as evidenced by their recent electoral gains. The actions of these two key political figures will be closely followed over the next five years.

Joëlle Welfring, former Minister of the Environment, secures the 21st position.

Among the LSAP MPs, Liz Braz garners attention with her remarkable entry into the top 15 at 14th place, with her upcoming participation in the European elections anticipated to further bolster her burgeoning career.

Although it is difficult to compare his score to anyone else, due to the Left Party's policy of equitable post-sharing, MP Marc Baum occupies the 28th position.

At the bottom of the ranking

Within the DP, some newcomers will need time to make a name for themselves. This is the case of Stéphanie Obertin, Minister for Digitalisation (34th). Similarly, Eric Thill, the newly appointed Minister for Culture, finds himself at 38th place. However, his position should enable him to make a name for himself in a field in which Luxembourg shines.

Despite securing five seats in the Chamber of Deputies, the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (adr) remains highly unpopular in the polls. Fernand Kartheiser (33rd), Fred Keup (39th), and Alexandra Schoos (40th) are the lowest-ranked opposition members in the 2024 edition of the Politmonitor survey.

Click through the slide shows to see the full rankings:

Click through the below graph to view how politicians' rankings have developed over time, by party. You can select individual names to view the information.

Development over time

*The Politmonitor poll was conducted in Luxembourg by Ilres, on behalf of RTL and Luxemburger Wort.