One and a half weeks after his State of the Nation Address, Prime Minister Luc Frieden joined our colleagues from RTL Radio for an interview on Saturday afternoon.

Frieden acknowledged that his government is just beginning its mission, facing significant responsibilities and challenges. While he promised no "revolutions," he noted that some issues need to be addressed differently than they were under the previous coalition.

Debate on pension system "long overdue"

The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of maintaining unity in Luxembourg's complex society, advocating for centrist policies and opposing "political extremes." He assured listeners that the government has clear plans and is actively working on them.

Frieden highlighted the need for a long-overdue debate on the pension system, acknowledging its challenges and the necessity of addressing all topics openly. He emphasised the importance of involving younger generations in these discussions to ensure their long-term security, arguing that a tripartite model alone is insufficient.

Economy: "We are not where we should be"

Regarding the economy, Frieden admitted, "we are not where we should be," stressing the necessity of economic growth for maintaining competitiveness with neighbouring countries. He expressed a desire for an attractive local economy and plans to further expand the financial sector as a key pillar of Luxembourg's economic model. This includes improving conditions for companies through administrative streamlining.

Frieden stated that the primary goals are job creation and economic growth. Simultaneously, he affirmed his government's commitment to strong social policies and "pragmatic" climate policies.

Prime Minister Luc Frieden emphasised that the wage indexation system will remain unchanged. He stated that in the event of another crisis, potential measures can be discussed, as has been done previously.

PM rules out revisiting voting rights for foreign residents

Frieden noted that new work models will be discussed within bipartite or tripartite formats. He also ruled out revisiting the issue of extending the right to vote in legislative elections to foreign residents during the current legislative period.

The Prime Minister described the price cap on electricity as a "good interim solution" and reiterated that nuclear power will not play a role in Luxembourg.

Regarding the upcoming visit of Pope Francis, Frieden called it a "great honour," as with any international guest. He expressed keen interest in the forthcoming discussions with the Pope.

European Commissioner: "No one tells Luxembourg who to put forward"

Frieden announced his intention to run for President of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV), arguing that it would be more coherent for the Prime Minister to also lead the party. He assured that this role would save him time, as it would align him more closely with party positions and allow him to shape them actively. He described the CSV's performance in the European elections as satisfactory.

Frieden mentioned that discussions about future positions in the European Commission are ongoing, emphasising that procedures must be respected. Once the "top jobs" are assigned, the Luxembourg government will propose a candidate as a commissioner. This is still expected to be Christophe Hanse, with Frieden acknowledging his strong election performance. Frieden asserted that Luxembourg will make its own decisions regarding its proposals.

Ending on a lighter note, Frieden revealed his support for the Dutch team in the ongoing European Football Championship.