In governance, CSV holds steady, while DP loses a seat. LSAP misses out on a second seat, ADR gains from the far-right trend in Europe, and Greens barely hold their ground.
78 candidates across 13 lists were running in the European elections this Sunday 9 June. A record in Luxembourg.
While the cards have been reshuffled, the new situation does not disrupt the political landscape and the Luxembourg Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, can remain calm, unlike Emmanuel Macron who decided to dissolve the French National Assembly earlier in the evening.
Over the past year, Luxembourg was represented by four women and two men in the European Parliament. Now, four men and two women will sit in the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg.
To summarise, the distribution of seats for Luxembourg in the EU Parliament is as follows: LSAP gets 1 seat, CSV 2 seats, DP and the Greens get 1 seat each, as does ADR. Charel Goerens (DP), Christoph Hansen (CSV), Marc Angel (LSAP), Isabel Wiseler-Lima (CSV), Tilly Metz (The Greens) and Fernand Kartheiser (ADR) were elected.
All six EU Parliament candidates accept their mandates. Jean-Paul Schaaf from CSV North and Dan Hardy from ADR South will occupy the vacant seats in the Chamber of Deputies.
The big winner of the evening remains the CSV. The party of Prime Minister Luc Frieden managed to maintain itself in style, consolidating its European foothold. The CSV accounts for 22.91% of the Luxembourgish electorate, 1.81% better than five years ago.
The Socialists (LSAP) emerge as the second major force in parliament, maintaining their position. The party only retains one seat despite its significant progress (+9.53% of the votes). The EPP has hinted at coalition talks with the Socialists, a demand supported by Nicolas Schmit. Negotiations will also involve the Liberals. Schmit emphasizes the importance of excluding far-right parties from discussions at all costs.
"Europe played with fire today", says Charel Goerens. Goerens himself is "not dissatisfied" with his result and has won a seat for the DP in the EU Parliament, albeit the only one.
Monica Semedo's seat, which was decided during the DP's term of office, could not be won back by the DP, leaving it with one seat. Charel Goerens is particularly concerned about the rise of right-wing parties in Europe. When forming a coalition, it would be 'sufficient' if no right-wing extremist groups had to be taken on board.
Semedo, who entered the European Parliament in 2019 with 50,890 votes as the 4th national position under the DP label, has left amidst controversy. Representing Fokus since February, she faced electoral defeat, receiving only 4,856 votes. Semedo had been the subject of complaints regarding moral harassment, resulting in sanctions from the European Parliament.
The notable change following the European vote in Luxembourg is the entry of the ADR into the European Parliament. A historic first for the Alternative Democratic Reform Party, a niche party created in 1987 to demand equal state pension benefits between civil servants and private sector employees.
In the end, only 106 votes separated the Greens and the ADR.
The rights of Luxembourg and Europe, migration and the combustion engine were the issues that interested voters, said Fernand Kartheiser in an interview with RTL shortly after the official publication of the figures. "The green decree" is no longer wanted by voters, the new MEP explained.
The Greens had the worst score of the evening this time. Sanctioned by the Luxembourgish electorate, just like in the October legislative elections (-5 seats in the Chamber of Deputies), the Greens fell to 11.76% of national representation in the European elections. That's -7.15% compared to 2019.
The six new MEPs who will represent Luxembourg, in order of both list votes and preferential votes obtained are:
Charles Goerens (DP) made a real impact by winning by far the highest number of votes (86,132 votes). He entered the European Parliament in 1982 (to replace Jean Hamilius for three years) and was re-elected in 1999, 2009, 2014, and 2019.
Christophe Hansen (CSV) told RTL this Sunday after casting his vote that he was "convinced" that the CSV "will achieve a good result, better than in 2019. Ideally with a third seat at stake."
Marc Angel (LSAP), the LSAP's top candidate, garnered 69,648 votes this Sunday. This is a real feat for a candidate who had 28,418 votes five years ago. Marc Angel had replaced Nicolas Schmit on short notice when the latter was appointed European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs. He has been Vice-President of the European Parliament since January 2023.
Isabel Wiseler-Lima (CSV), lead candidate, returns to the European Parliament for a second term. She has garnered the trust of 58,307 Luxembourgish voters.
Tilly Metz (The Greens) has been serving in Brussels and Strasbourg for the past five years. She has been emphasizing solidarity, social cohesion, and achieving the green, ecological transition in a socially just manner. Indeed, a lot is at stake for Europe. She received 43,828 votes.
Fernand Kartheiser (ADR) received 37,684 votes and is the surprise of these European elections in Luxembourg. He finds himself as a member of the European Parliament for the first time, alongside his party, which is also elected for the first time.
