A new nationwide survey reveals shifting public sentiment in Luxembourg, with growing unease over political leadership, mounting social tensions, and renewed calls for greater public involvement in shaping the country’s future.

The latest Politmonitor survey conducted by Ilres for RTL and Lëtzebuerger Wort has revealed that the CSV-DP government under Prime Minister Luc Frieden is not receiving favourable ratings. The findings indicate a growing dissatisfaction among Luxembourgers, with several key issues emerging as points of contention.

Dissatisfaction with government performance

According to the survey, 40% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the government's work, signalling a wider trend of discontent. Ilres probed current issues through a series of questions, and the responses highlight potential reasons behind the government's poor ratings.

The proposed pension reform, which includes increasing the required contribution years, has drawn strong opposition. A total of 60% of respondents are against the planned change, announced personally by Prime Minister Luc Frieden during his speech on the state of the nation. One-third of those surveyed strongly disagree with the measure, while only 35% support it, with just 10% in full agreement. CSV supporters are the only group to show majority support for the reform.

In contrast, voters from the ADR, LSAP, and the Greens strongly oppose the idea of extending working years. According to Manon Breden from Ilres, a notable generational divide is evident, with older voters aged 65 and over being the only group in favour of raising contribution years.

Support for trade unions and government criticism

The survey also shed light on the tensions between the trade unions and the CSV-DP government. The majority of respondents sided with the unions, with 60% approving of OGBL and LCGB’s call for a demonstration on June 28. Notably, 38% fully supported the call to take to the streets, while only 26% disapproved. LSAP, ADR, and Green voters are particularly aligned with the unions, while opinions among government party supporters are more divided.
 
In line with this, 55% of respondents believe the government does not respect the unions' position enough, with only 31% disagreeing. This view is predominantly held by CSV voters. Meanwhile, 62% of respondents agreed that the government respects the position of employers, with 21% disagreeing and 17% abstaining. Voters across all parties generally support the government's stance towards employers.

Defence spending and military service

Global insecurity is a growing concern in Luxembourg, with 61% of respondents supporting an increase in defence spending to 2% of GDP by the end of the year. Support for this measure is consistent across most party lines and increases with the age of respondents. However, 29% are opposed to this increase.

When asked whether the defence spending should align with NATO commitments, the responses were more divided, with 47% in favour and 42% against. CSV and DP supporters favour the increase, while Socialists are split on the issue. ADR voters are mostly opposed, and the Greens show a slight tendency against the rise.

The survey also revealed that 59% of respondents oppose the introduction of mandatory military or civil service, while 37% support the idea. A slight majority of CSV voters are in favour, though Green voters (70%) and young people aged 18–24 (72%) are strongly opposed to the proposal. Voters over 65 are split, with 47% supporting and 49% opposing mandatory service.

Support for the monarchy

Luxembourgers have largely expressed support for the monarchy, with 69% of respondents believing that a parliamentary monarchy is the best form of government for Luxembourg. Among them, half are fully convinced, while only 20% believe Luxembourg should adopt a different form of government. A further 11% were unsure.

CSV supporters are the most supportive of the monarchy, with 84% in favour, followed by 80% of DP voters. Even among Socialists, 62% consider the monarchy the best form of government, and 63% of Greens share this view. In contrast, ADR supporters are split, with 44% in favour and 41% opposed. Manon Breden from Ilres noted that while the ADR officially supports the monarchy, the survey suggests a more complex picture.

An explanation for this division could be that 74% of ADR voters stated that the people should decide in a referendum whether the monarchy should be maintained. This idea is also supported by 56% of Green voters and half of Socialist voters. However, most government party voters are against a referendum on the monarchy's future. Despite this, 48% of respondents believe the public should be allowed to vote on the monarchy’s future, with 27% strongly supporting this view.

Housing concerns remain dominant

Finally, the survey revealed that housing remains the greatest concern for Luxembourgers, particularly for the younger population. Geopolitical tensions were also a significant worry, alongside emerging concerns about the pension system. The rising right-wing trend continues to be a significant concern for many respondents, reflecting broader societal unease.