Your Weekly Recap for 30 December–3 January.
Here are five things you should know at the end of this week:
- Minimum wage increase takes effect
- Petrol takes the lead in Luxembourg as electric vehicles gain ground
- Top court sides with former mayor in Schieren land dispute
- New Orleans NYE lorry attack leaves 15 dead, perpetrator professed loyalty to jihadist group
- Montenegro in mourning after gunman kills 12 in town shooting spree
1. Minimum wage increase takes effect
© AFP
Luxembourg's minimum wage has officially increased to €3,165 for qualified workers and €2,638 for unqualified workers, effective 1 January 2025, with unqualified wages now tax-free.
- Pensions for individuals with severe disabilities have risen by 1.6%, with further adjustments set for June 2025.
- These changes were approved by the Chamber of Deputies on 12 December 2024 to address inflation and wage developments.
Wages up – Starting in the new year, Luxembourg will implement a significant adjustment to its minimum wage, providing higher earnings for both qualified and unqualified workers. Qualified workers will see their gross monthly wages rise to €3,165, marking an increase of approximately €80 from the previous rate of €3,085.
Meanwhile, unqualified workers will earn a minimum of €2,638 per month, and in a notable policy change, these earnings will now be exempt from taxation. This increase aims to support workers in coping with rising living costs while maintaining Luxembourg's competitive labor standards.
Routine adjustments – In addition to wage increases, pension payments for individuals with severe disabilities will also see a boost. Beginning on 1 January 2025, pensions increase by 1.6% as part of routine legal adjustments to keep pace with inflation. However, a more comprehensive review of pension rates is planned for the end of June 2025, potentially leading to further increases or refinements.
Economic pressure – The wage and pension adjustments were formally approved by Luxembourg's Chamber of Deputies on 12 December 2024, following debates and considerations on how best to respond to economic pressures. The measures aim to tackle the effects of inflation and ensure wage developments keep pace with the rising cost of living.
2. Petrol takes the lead in Luxembourg as electric vehicles gain ground
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Petrol cars have overtaken diesel as the most popular fuel type in Luxembourg, making up 42.88% of registered vehicles compared to diesel's 37.57%.
Electric and hybrid vehicles are gaining traction, with non-rechargeable hybrids at 8.79%, electric vehicles at 6.95%, and plug-in hybrids at 3.70%.
Government data highlights a surge in electric car sales, especially as company vehicles, while hydrogen fuel cell vehicles remain rare.
Back to the old ways – This marks a significant shift in Luxembourg's automotive landscape, as diesel engines have long been the dominant choice for drivers. The trend suggests a growing preference for petrol-powered vehicles, potentially influenced by tightening emissions regulations and concerns about diesel's environmental impact.
Open to alternatives – Luxembourg has seen a steady rise in hybrid and electric vehicle adoption, reflecting increased consumer interest in greener alternatives. Non-rechargeable hybrids, combining petrol or diesel engines with electric power, provide a practical stepping stone for drivers transitioning away from traditional fuels.
More to come – The rise in electric vehicles has been driven in part by favourable company car policies, which offer financial incentives for businesses to adopt environmentally friendly fleets. This trend underscores the government's push for sustainability and aligns with broader European goals to cut carbon emissions.
However, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) have yet to gain significant market share, likely due to higher costs and limited refuelling infrastructure, indicating that further development and investment in alternative technologies may be needed to diversify Luxembourg's clean energy vehicle options.
Read also – Keep your eyes peeled: electric cars are coming!
3. Top court sides with former mayor in Schieren land dispute
Luxembourg's top court annulled a Ministry of the Interior decision, siding with former Schieren mayor André Schmit in a land reclassification dispute, citing violations of municipal autonomy.
The case involved 65 acres in Schieren, where the Ministry blocked reclassification in 2019, labelling it "tentacular development", which Schmit contested as unjustified.
The administrative court's decision invalidates the 2020 municipal council vote and Ministry ruling, sending the case back to Schieren's council for review in the new year.
Former mayor vindicated – Luxembourg's top court delivered a significant verdict by annulling a decision made by the Ministry of the Interior, marking a victory for former Schieren mayor André Schmit and his co-claimants. The ruling addressed a long-standing dispute over land reclassification, ultimately finding that the Ministry's actions violated the principle of municipal autonomy.
Schmit had challenged the Ministry’s opposition to revising Schieren’s General Development Plan (PAG), and the court’s decision reaffirms the authority of municipalities to make planning decisions without undue interference from higher government bodies.
Background – The legal battle centred around 65 acres of land along Rue Lehberg in Schieren, where André Schmit had purchased 25 acres in 1984, initially believing it was urbanisable. Later classified as green zone land, efforts to reclassify parts of the area during updates to the General Development Plan met resistance from the Ministry of the Interior, which argued that the proposal encouraged "tentacular development", or urban sprawl.
Schmit disputed this characterisation, asserting that the land's location within a second-row development zone aligned with sustainable planning principles and did not promote excessive expansion along roads.
Potential precedent – With the court invalidating both the municipal council’s vote from March 2020 and the Ministry’s subsequent ruling, the matter now returns to Schieren’s council for further deliberation. Current Mayor Jean-Paul Zeimes declined to comment on the ruling but stated that the council would review the decision and determine how to proceed in the new year, potentially setting a precedent for future land-use disputes in Luxembourg.
4. New Orleans NYE lorry attack leaves 15 dead, perpetrator professed loyalty to jihadist group
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A US Army veteran, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, drove a pickup truck into a New Year's Eve crowd in New Orleans, killing 15 people and injuring dozens, with authorities investigating potential terrorist links and accomplices.
The attacker, allegedly inspired by ISIS, was killed in a shootout with police after attempting to detonate homemade bombs, while officials are probing connections to a separate explosion in Las Vegas.
President Joe Biden condemned the attack as "despicable", and the FBI launched a nationwide investigation, searching multiple locations and tracking suspects potentially tied to the incident.
Act of terror – Authorities identified the suspect as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old US Army veteran, who drove a white Ford F-150 electric pickup truck into a crowd of New Year's Eve revelers in New Orleans' French Quarter, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens.
The FBI confirmed that Jabbar had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and labelled the incident a terrorist attack. Despite initial concerns that Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, had accomplices still on the run, preliminary investigations show he likely acted alone, FBI deputy assistant director Christopher Raia said.
Investigation launched – Jabbar reportedly posted videos online prior to the attack, expressing support for ISIS, and was found with an Islamic State flag in his vehicle. After mowing down pedestrians, he exited the vehicle and engaged in a shootout with police, resulting in his death and injuries to two officers.
Authorities later discovered and neutralised two homemade bombs in the vehicle, raising further concerns about the scale of the planned violence. Officials are investigating whether the use of rented vehicles through the Turo app in both the New Orleans and Las Vegas incidents points to a coordinated effort.
Commander-in-chief reacts – President Joe Biden condemned the attack as "despicable" and emphasised the urgency of investigating the motives and connections behind it. While no definitive link has been established between the New Orleans incident and the Las Vegas explosion, authorities remain vigilant about potential ties and continue to conduct searches in multiple states.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry stated that law enforcement agencies are actively hunting for additional suspects, and the FBI is collaborating with state and local officials to piece together evidence and prevent further attacks.
5. Montenegro in mourning after gunman kills 12 in town shooting spree
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Montenegro declared three days of national mourning after a 45-year-old gunman killed 12 people, including two children, before taking his own life following an hours-long manhunt.
The shooting began at a village restaurant and continued across five locations, leaving four others seriously injured, with three in critical condition.
Authorities ruled out organised crime links, pledged stricter firearm regulations, and announced a review of illegal weapons control and police recruitment measures.
A country in mourning – The tragedy unfolded in the village of Bajice near Cetinje, where the shooter opened fire in a restaurant, claiming multiple lives in a sudden and violent rampage. Authorities confirmed that the gunman, who was reportedly intoxicated, later turned the weapon on himself after being cornered by police following a lengthy search operation. The incident left the small Balkan nation reeling, prompting a period of mourning to honor the victims and provide space for reflection and healing.
Two towns affected – According to prosecutors, the first four victims were killed inside the restaurant before the gunman moved to other areas in the village, targeting additional people. Among the injured, one remains in extremely critical condition due to a severe head injury, with medical staff in Podgorica working to stabilise the victims. Residents of Cetinje and Bajice were left in shock as police sealed off the crime scenes and stationed patrols around the suspect's home, highlighting the scale and brutality of the attack.
First insights – Investigators clarified that the shooting stemmed from a personal dispute rather than gang-related violence, though Montenegro has struggled with organised crime in recent years. Prime Minister Milojko Spajic described the tragedy as a wake-up call for stricter gun control, proposing measures ranging from tougher firearm licensing to a possible ban on civilian gun ownership. The National Security Council is set to meet to evaluate weaknesses in current weapons regulations, reflecting the government's urgent efforts to address security concerns and prevent future tragedies.
The best of... 📚
- Business & Tech – Venezuela's highest court on Monday fined TikTok $10 million in connection with viral challenges that authorities say left three adolescents dead from intoxication by chemical substances.
- Science & Environment – Beijing insisted on Tuesday that it had shared information on Covid-19 "without holding anything back", after the World Health Organization implored China to offer more data and access to understand the disease's origins.
- Entertainment – Folk legend Neil Young has pulled out of this year's Glastonbury music festival, alleging it has fallen under "the corporate control" of its partner the BBC.
- Sport – French downhill specialist Cyprien Sarrazin is to be repatriated after coming out of intensive care in an Italian hospital where he had undergone surgery for head injuries, the French Ski Federation (FFS) announced Thursday.
And in case you missed it... ⚠️
- Tourism in Luxembourg – The Bock Casemates marked a significant milestone on New Year's Eve by welcoming their 200,000th visitor, highlighting the site's cultural, historical, and tourist significance.
- New Year's Honours – Mike Dickes, recognised for his bravery in saving a child from a fire, and Chantal Keller, honoured for her stroke awareness campaigns, have been selected as the Luxembourgers of the Year 2024.
- Retail – Winter sales kicked off on Thursday in Luxembourg and parts of the Greater Region, offering shoppers discounts in-store and online until late January.
- New Year's interview – Prime Minister Luc Frieden emphasised stability, economic growth, and upcoming historic events in 2025 during RTL's annual New Year's interview, reflecting on priorities for housing, security, and social policy.
Your Weekly Recap is published every Friday at noon. Read earlier versions.
