Your Weekly Recap for 2–6 June 2025.
Here are five things you should know at the end of this week:
- ECR expels MEP Kartheiser over Moscow trip
- National call-up of convicted football player triggers ethics, press freedom debate
- Court orders Luxembourg City to release pedestrian crossing safety data
- Trump and Musk alliance blows up in spectacular public feud
- Lee scores landslide victory as South Korea overcomes months of turmoil
1. ECR expels MEP Kartheiser over Moscow trip
© Tom Zeimet / RTL
Luxembourg MEP Fernand Kartheiser was expelled from the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group after a controversial trip to Moscow and pro-Russia remarks.
- Kartheiser defended his actions as a "friendship" visit and said he may continue as an independent MEP, while remaining open to joining another group.
- The ADR remains in the ECR for now, though internal sources suggest its expulsion is being considered; other Luxembourg MEPs strongly criticised Kartheiser's actions.
Red line – MEP Fernand Kartheiser of the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR) was formally expelled from the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group after travelling to Moscow and making statements perceived as sympathetic to Russia. The decision was made during an extraordinary meeting of the group's 80 members, following mounting criticism over Kartheiser's meeting with Russian officials and his interview with a Russian outlet under EU sanctions.
The ECR's spokesperson emphasised that Kartheiser had crossed a clear red line in the group's firmly pro-Ukraine stance and could no longer remain a member despite his prior constructive role within the group.
MEP defiant – Kartheiser responded to the controversy by defending his trip as a personal effort to build diplomatic "bridges," rejecting accusations of wrongdoing. He said he was open to continuing as an independent MEP and pointed out that independent members of the European Parliament can often be just as effective as those affiliated with political groups.
While he suggested he may remain unaffiliated, he also mentioned having received interest from another parliamentary group, though he declined to share details and stressed that any such decision would be coordinated with his national party, the ADR.
ADR future uncertain – The ADR has not followed Kartheiser out of the ECR group, but its future in the alliance remains uncertain. Party chair Alexandra Schoos criticised the expulsion and confirmed that the ADR had not received formal notice of any broader disciplinary action.
However, internal ECR sources indicated that the group is considering removing the ADR entirely due to its public support for Kartheiser. Meanwhile, other Luxembourg MEPs reacted strongly to the expulsion, with The Greens' Tilly Metz condemning Kartheiser's stance and reaffirming her commitment – shared by four other MEPs – to protecting Luxembourg's reputation in European politics.
2. National call-up of convicted football player triggers ethics, press freedom debate
© Valentin Wagner
The selection of Gerson Rodrigues for Luxembourg's national football team despite his domestic violence conviction has triggered widespread backlash from politicians, media, and the public.
Coach Luc Holtz and the Luxembourg Football Federation (FLF) defended the decision, citing the principle of not imposing a "double punishment," though critics argue it undermines ethical standards and role model expectations.
The controversy deepened when journalist Julien Mollereau was excluded from a press event, prompting concerns over press freedom and condemnation from Sports Minister Georges Mischo, who also criticised Rodrigues' nomination as "borderline."
Backlash – The inclusion of Gerson Rodrigues in Luxembourg's national football squad sparked intense public and political backlash following his recent conviction for domestic violence and assault. Rodrigues received an 18-month suspended prison sentence at the end of April, yet was still selected by national coach Luc Holtz for upcoming international matches.
Critics, including MPs from the Democratic Party and the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party, voiced their dismay over the decision, stressing that top-level athletes carry a responsibility to set positive examples. They argue that allowing a convicted player to represent the country sends a troubling message, especially amid growing concern about gender-based violence in society.
Line of defence – In defence of the decision, both coach Luc Holtz and the Luxembourg Football Federation (FLF) maintained that Rodrigues had already been judged by the courts and should not face further punishment from the sports authorities. Holtz insisted that he did not feel it was his role to "judge a second time," and FLF President Paul Philipp echoed this sentiment, saying the federation believed in giving the player a second chance.
However, many found this justification inadequate, arguing that athletic eligibility should not only depend on legal rulings but also reflect ethical and societal values. Critics claim that keeping Rodrigues on the team prioritised sporting performance over moral leadership, damaging the integrity of the national team.
Press freedom – The controversy widened when Le Quotidien journalist Julien Mollereau, who had criticised Rodrigues' selection, was barred from a national team press event – an action reportedly taken at the request of coach Holtz and some players. The Luxembourg Sports Journalists Association condemned the exclusion as a threat to press freedom, and Sports Minister Georges Mischo called the decision unacceptable, comparing it to anti-press tactics seen in authoritarian regimes.
Mischo also met with FLF leadership to express his disapproval, reiterating that critical journalism is essential in democratic societies and that both the FLF and Holtz must take responsibility for their actions on and off the pitch.
Opinion: Yes, domestic violence is 'a big deal' – including in football
3. Court orders Luxembourg City to release pedestrian crossing safety data
Luxembourg City has lost a legal appeal and must now publish pedestrian crossing safety documents following a court ruling.
The dispute began nearly four years ago when the Centre for Urban Justice (ZUG) claimed up to 460 crossings were unsafe, though the municipality disputes this figure.
The court upheld a 2024 decision, with ZUG calling the outcome a win for transparency and public access to information.
Ruling upheld – The Administrative Court has ruled that Luxembourg City must make safety documents concerning pedestrian crossings publicly available, effectively ending a prolonged legal battle with the Centre for Urban Justice. This decision upholds a 2024 ruling that the city had previously challenged, requiring the municipality to not only release the documents but also publish them on its official website.
Scale in question – The case originated from ZUG's assertion that as many as 460 pedestrian crossings in Luxembourg City failed to meet safety standards set out in the road traffic act. Concerns included visibility issues caused by parked vehicles obstructing the view of pedestrians.
Luxembourg City contested this claim, stating that only 37 crossings might be considered problematic. The disagreement over the scale of the issue added to the complexity and duration of the legal proceedings.
Transparency – Following the confirmation of the earlier ruling, ZUG issued a statement celebrating the verdict as a triumph for democratic accountability. The organisation emphasised the broader significance of the decision, framing it as a victory not just for pedestrian safety, but also for citizens' right to access public data.
4. Trump and Musk alliance blows up in spectacular public feud
© AFP
A public feud erupted between Donald Trump and Elon Musk after Musk criticised Trump's major spending bill, prompting Trump to threaten Musk's government contracts.
Musk retaliated by implying Trump was linked to Jeffrey Epstein and hinted at forming a new political party, while Tesla shares plummeted by over $100 billion.
The clash ends a once-close alliance and could have major political and economic ramifications, with both figures exchanging escalating personal attacks.
Contentious bill – The breakdown began when Elon Musk, a major political ally and top donor to Donald Trump, publicly criticised the president's flagship spending legislation, calling it an "abomination." This triggered a fiery response from Trump, who said he was "very disappointed" in Musk and accused him of ingratitude despite the support and high-level access Musk had enjoyed, including a now-controversial role in the Department of Government Efficiency.
Trump then escalated matters by threatening to cut off Musk's lucrative government contracts with NASA and other federal agencies, a move that could cost billions of dollars and seriously disrupt key US space programmes.
Bilateral accusations – In response to Trump's televised remarks and social media attacks, Musk took to his X platform to claim Trump would not have won the 2024 election without his help and slammed the president for his "ingratitude." In a particularly explosive allegation, Musk suggested that Trump was mentioned in government files related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, reigniting public intrigue and conspiracy theories.
The escalating feud spooked investors, sending Tesla's stock into a tailspin and wiping out over $100 billion in value. Musk further stirred political waters by posting a poll about starting a new political party, suggesting he may now seek to challenge Trump's influence directly.
Final straw – The Trump-Musk relationship had once seemed like an unusual but powerful political alliance, with Musk frequently staying overnight at the White House and flying on Air Force One, and Trump endorsing Musk's aggressive reform efforts in government. But behind the scenes, tensions had reportedly been building for months, with Musk clashing with Trump's cabinet and growing frustrated by bureaucracy.
The dispute over the spending bill appears to have been the final straw, triggering a cascade of public insults and threats that now jeopardise critical programmes like NASA's Dragon spacecraft launches. As political observers watch closely, the fallout from this bitter split could reshape not only Musk's business empire but also Trump's hold over the Republican Party.
5. Lee scores landslide victory as South Korea overcomes months of turmoil
© AFP
Lee Jae-myung won South Korea's snap presidential election in a landslide, following months of political chaos sparked by ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol's failed attempt to impose martial law.
Lee faces major challenges as president, including US trade tariffs, rising tensions with North Korea, and a deeply divided domestic political landscape.
A former factory worker turned lawyer, Lee rose from poverty to the presidency despite legal controversies, vowing to pursue peace, economic stability, and political accountability.
Record turnout – The vote, held on 3 June, was widely seen as a referendum on Yoon's authoritarian move, which saw armed troops deployed to parliament in December. Lawmakers swiftly nullified the decree and impeached Yoon, making him the second conservative president in recent memory to be ousted.
Lee, the centre-left Democratic Party candidate who lost narrowly in 2022, defeated conservative rival Kim Moon-soo by over eight points, with the highest voter turnout in nearly three decades. His victory marks a dramatic shift in South Korean politics and signals widespread rejection of anti-democratic actions.
Challenges ahead – Lee's term began immediately after the vote tally was certified, just hours before US President Donald Trump's 50% tariffs on Korean steel and aluminium took effect. Lee must navigate an export-driven economy under strain, rising protectionism, and a delicate balance between the US and China.
Meanwhile, inter-Korean ties remain at historic lows after years of confrontation under Yoon, and North Korea has declared the South an enemy state. Domestically, Lee inherits a polarised country still reeling from months of constitutional crises and leadership vacuums, requiring careful political reconciliation to move forward.
From poverty to presidency – Lee's compelling life story – dropping out of school to support his family, suffering an injury in a sweatshop, and later becoming a human rights attorney – has earned him a loyal support base. Throughout his political career, from mayor of Seongnam to governor of Gyeonggi Province, Lee cultivated a reputation for pragmatic leadership, though critics point to his confrontational style and ongoing legal troubles, including corruption and election law charges.
As president, he has pledged to heal divisions, investigate those tied to the martial law attempt, and tackle urgent issues like the birth rate crisis, AI innovation, and inter-Korean diplomacy.
The best of... 📚
- Business & Tech – Social media outlet Reddit filed a lawsuit Wednesday against artificial intelligence company Anthropic, accusing the startup of illegally scraping millions of user comments to train its Claude chatbot without permission or compensation.
- Science & Environment – A huge plume of ash, gas and rock spewed forth on Monday from Italy's Mount Etna as authorities warned people to steer clear of Europe's largest active volcano.
- Entertainment – Gamers finally got their hands on Nintendo's new Switch 2 on Thursday, the console that could score record early sales for the Japanese Super Mario creator.
- Sport – Uzbekistan and Jordan made history on Thursday by qualifying for their first football world cup, while the pair will be joined in next year's tournament by perennial participants South Korea.
And in case you missed it... ⚠️
- Animal rescue– Emergency responders in Tuntange were called to an unusual scene in May, where they captured a raccoon that had taken up residence inside a home.
- Tourism – A 13th-century convent crypt beneath the capital's justice quarter is being partially opened to the public for the first time during the Luxembourg Urban Garden (LUGA) exhibition, with full restoration plans underway to transform the site into a permanent heritage attraction.
- Local politics– Hesperange Mayor Marc Lies and Steinsel Mayor Fernand Marchetti both this week announced their resignation from local politics.
- Mobility – As nearly half of candidates fail their practical driving test, Luxembourg's driving instructors are calling for reforms to the outdated licensing system, arguing that current training requirements are insufficient for today's traffic complexity and safety standards.
Your Weekly Recap is published every Friday at noon. Read earlier versions.
