The government faced heated criticism from opposition MPs Wednesday after ministers failed to provide updates on crucial labour negotiations, with one lawmaker denouncing the stalemate as "nothing but a farce" and others warning of unacceptable secrecy.
Opposition MPs expressed frustration during Wednesday's parliamentary committee hearings as Social Security Minister Martine Deprez and Labour Minister Georges Mischo provided no substantive updates on ongoing discussions with social partners. The ministers' limited disclosure drew sharp criticism across party lines.
MP Mars di Bartolomeo of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) denounced the government's approach as "nothing but a farce," while the Green Party's (déi Gréng) Djuna Bernard acknowledged the sensitivity of negotiation details but lamented the absence of basic information about the government's "motivation, timeline, or position."
Pirate Party MP Sven Clement labelled the situation "actually unacceptable." Referring to the confusion regarding the naming of the meeting, he stated: "If it is a tripartite, there wouldn't be a seven-week pause between negotiations, but negotiations would continue straight away. And if it isn't one, they can take their time as far as I'm concerned, but in that case they have to inform the Chamber of Deputies."
Left Party (Déi Lénk) MP Marc Baum believes that MPs are now at a disadvantage, as union and employer representatives are now continuing discussions within their internal committees. "In total, hundreds of people are aware of what's on the table – it's only MPs that are now looking like complete idiots," Baum said.
In contrast, MP Corinne Cahen of the Democratic Party (DP) urged "patience", emphasising that the next social partner meeting on 3 September required space to yield a "package everyone can get behind."
Ministers agreed to consider a closed-door parliamentary briefing ahead of the next round, with Deprez confirming the Government Council would review the request Friday.
The president of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) parliamentary group, Marc Spautz, struck a conciliatory tone in the ongoing transparency debate, acknowledging valid concerns on both sides. "While a confidential briefing could represent a solution, the key question remains whether all participants would maintain discretion," Spautz observed.
Spautz stressed that he does not want to jeopardise a potential agreement through premature disclosures.
