© RTL
At a Tuesday press conference, Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR) MEP Fernand Kartheiser and MP Fred Keup delivered a scathing critique of the European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen, accusing it of lacking vision, mishandling trade negotiations with the US, and proposing budgetary plans that would unfairly burden citizens.
Standing in front of Luxembourg flags but notably without an EU one, this was itself part of the message: the ADR does not share the direction the EU is taking. According to MEP Fernand Kartheiser, the Commission is failing in its core responsibilities. He argued that instead of offering Europe a credible economic future, it is presiding over stagnation, growing dependence on the United States, and declining public trust in European institutions.
As an example, Kartheiser pointed to recent customs talks with Washington. He claimed that von der Leyen conceded too quickly in negotiations with US President Donald Trump, striking an agreement that largely favours the US. According to him, European industries, including Luxembourg's steel sector and automotive suppliers, will pay the price. He accused the Luxembourg government of blindly echoing Brussels, saying it simply "parrots" what the EU says rather than defending national interests.
MP Fred Keup backed up the criticism, arguing that unlike other governments, Luxembourg never dares to challenge the Commission's decisions. He insisted the country should adopt a clearer stance and speak out when EU proposals risk harming its economy.
The ADR also expressed strong opposition to the Commission's budgetary framework for 2028–2034. Kartheiser criticised the plan to increase the EU budget to €2 trillion, financed partly by new taxes, including environmental levies and a form of tobacco duty. He stressed that taxation is a national competence and warned against Brussels overstepping its role. He further cautioned that such measures could cost Luxembourg an estimated €1.2 billion a year in lost revenue.
Finally, Kartheiser warned against the precedent of adopting declarations at EU level with 26 rather than 27 member states, as happened recently without Hungary. He argued that Prime Minister Luc Frieden should never have accepted this approach, as Luxembourg itself could one day be sidelined in the same way.
