© Jeannot Ries / RTL
Opposition leaders launched a scathing critique of the government's handling of social negotiations on Thursday, with one MP declaring the death of the famed Luxembourg tripartite model after talks with employers and unions ended without a full agreement.
Opposition MPs voiced dissatisfaction on Thursday after the government briefed parliamentary committees on the conclusions of the recent talks with social partners.
A delegation of six ministers, led by Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, informed lawmakers of the outcome. They were joined by Minister of Social Security Martine Deprez, Minister of Finance Gilles Roth, Minister of Labour Georges Mischo, and Minister of the Economy Lex Delles.
Following the briefing, Marc Spautz, parliamentary group leader of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV), told RTL that he regretted the social partners' failure to reach a full agreement, attributing it to significantly divergent positions. He noted that the extended break in negotiations was also unhelpful.
Spautz did welcome the government's proposed adjustment to rules on extended Sunday working hours, a measure he had previously criticised. However, the former trade unionist stated a preference for mandating collective agreements in companies with 15 or more employees, a lower threshold than the government's proposed 30. Despite this, Spautz conceded that it was now time to move forward and focus on other pressing issues.
Prime Minister Frieden characterised the 40 hours of negotiations over three rounds as "constructive," noting that all sides had moved closer together. He stressed the urgency for Luxembourg to "move on," citing a rapidly changing world and a lengthy agenda of other critical issues that require the country's attention.
The opposition offered a far more critical assessment. Sam Tanson of the Green Party (Déi Gréng) accused the government of misrepresenting the outcome, stating, "I have the impression that the government was in a different meeting to the social partners, because they are glossing over the situation regarding social dialogue in Luxembourg." Tanson argued that the negative reactions from both employers and trade unions indicate the country remains in a "very difficult situation" with a severely damaged social dialogue.
She described it as a "serious problem" that the government is failing to acknowledge the talks' failure as declared by the unions.
The Left Party (Déi Lénk) expressed deep dissatisfaction with the results. MP Marc Baum interpreted the events as a sign of the impending death of the Luxembourg model, calling the conclusions "bitter" and declaring it "not a good day for our country." He asserted that the government has "laid to rest the Luxembourg model, which was based on the Tripartite," citing its presentation of decisions without further discussion as evidence that "a new era is now dawning." According to Baum, this shift away from seeking compromise means parties will now work against each other, which is "not good for the social development of our country."
In contrast, Carole Hartmann of the Democratic Party (DP) struck a more optimistic note. While she had recently described a "malaise" in the tripartite dialogue, she now believes the talks have provided new impetus. Hartmann argued that the government successfully found a balance between the social partners and that the proposals "take into account the views of both sides." She openly challenged the trade unions' narrative, framing the outcome not as a failure but as proof of a government that "listens". Nonetheless, she conceded that the lack of a full agreement was regrettable, noting, "It is always better to come out of the social dialogue with an agreement."
More conciliatory tones came from the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR). MP Fred Keup welcomed the government's resolve to act on pensions. While his party does not agree with every detail, Keup acknowledged the necessity of reform and stated it was positive that the discussions took place at all.
