In light of the vote on the state budget in the Chamber of Deputies this week, LSAP politician Franz Fayot was invited to RTL colleague Annick Governs’ radio show on Monday morning.
To the LSAP politician, the proposed state budget bets too much on quantitative growth, which would bring about a whole series of problems. With a complete focus on the economy, the plans undermine poverty reduction as well as the environment.
He also laments the fact that there seems to be no backup proposal, which signals that the current coalition wishes to prioritise tax reduction and spending reductions despite the current financial and social situation.
But especially in uncertain times, lots of investment is needed for a strong state, Fayot believes. Almost every state sector needs more resources, especially the police and education areas.
More generally, he finds the saving money trope short-sighted and unreflective of Luxembourg’s tradition of efficient spending. At the same time, it fails to consider that Luxembourg’s membership in the EU requires certain non-negotiable investments to fulfil its obligations as a member state.
Fayot also feels there to be a lack in concrete plans behind the announced aspiration of saving 1,6 billion euros. To him, the proposed budget is more of a transitory budget, with announcements that not only lack concrete details, but also go in the wrong direction.
You can find the whole interview in Luxembourgish on RTL Play.
