© RTL
Alex Donnersbach, the 33-year-old MP and local councillor from Walferdange of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV), reflects on two years in parliament, stressing his pragmatic style, priorities on housing and simplification, confidence in Luc Frieden’s leadership, and the value of consensus politics.
We met him in his home municipality of Walferdange, on a newly built, spacious playground next to the Alzette river and not far from the sports hall. The location was no coincidence: it was the first project Donnersbach implemented as a member of Walferdange's mayoral council following his re-election in 2023. The site, which includes a dog park and was buzzing with families that day, is clearly something he is proud of.
Aged 33, Donnersbach is a trained lawyer who stepped into the national spotlight in November 2023 when he replaced Serge Wilmes, who had taken up a ministerial post in the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) and Democratic Party (DP) government.
Before that, he had already served in local politics since 2017, when he was elected to Walferdange's municipal council at the age of just 25. He became part of the mayoral council in June 2023, while also making his way in national politics as a former president of the CSV youth wing (CSJ).
He describes the parliamentary role as demanding but rewarding. The workload is heavy, and much has to be learned on the job, without constant guidance, he says. The advantage of being in a large parliamentary group, he adds, is that responsibilities can be shared, making the overall task more manageable. Yet he acknowledges it remains a tough assignment that requires initiative and independence.
Early roots in scouting and civic engagement
Donnersbach traces his sense of commitment back to his time in the Scouts. He recalls being influenced by the principle of leaving the world better than you found it, which for him embodied a sense of modesty: the idea that one cannot change everything, but can and should make a positive difference where possible. This attitude, he explains, set him on a path of engagement that gradually became political.
The desire to tackle problems and search for solutions stayed with him throughout secondary school, he says. Donnersbach explains that he joined environmental groups and student committees, always eager to work on issues that mattered to him and to others. He says his personality grew naturally in that direction rather than through one defining moment.
Now, as a lawyer and MP, he considers himself a pragmatist who likes to think things through in detail but ultimately relies on instinct once he has weighed up the options. For him, the guiding question in any decision is whether it serves the interests of citizens, his party, and his municipality. Breaking down complex dossiers in this way, he notes, often brings clarity.
Why CSV? Values, personalities, and modernisation
Joining the CSV, he explains, was a natural fit because the party's values matched his own. Principles such as freedom, justice, and solidarity were ones he recognised and wanted to promote. Influential figures like Jean-Claude Juncker and Luc Frieden, whom he admired early on, also played a role in confirming that decision.
His years leading the CSJ left a deep impression on him, he says. Donnersbach explains that the experience of highs and lows over a decade in the youth wing provided valuable lessons that continue to shape how he approaches politics today.
He also points to the modernisation of the CSV. Half of the parliamentary group now consists of newcomers, including himself, and most of the ministers are serving in government for the first time, he says.
While the party has made clear progress, he acknowledges that there is still more to do internally, particularly in terms of how the organisation functions and communicates. Work is underway, for example, through newly reactivated working groups and more structured support for local sections, but he says these are projects that will occupy much of the next three years.
Housing crisis at the top of his agenda
Housing is, in his view, one of Luxembourg's most pressing problems. He argues that the country is not building fast enough to meet demand, while infrastructure also lags behind, contributing to traffic congestion. Planning and approval procedures are, he notes, often lengthy for valid reasons, but the end result is that new housing projects take far too long to materialise.
Government measures to speed things up are in the pipeline, but he cautions that major improvements will not be seen in just three years, but rather, a ten-year horizon is needed. For him, the priority is to accelerate progress now so that change will become visible in the longer term.
Climate change, consensus politics, and leadership
On climate, Donnersbach observes that the issue has slipped down the media agenda due to international conflicts, but insists the government is still taking strong action on renewable energy. He believes it is more effective to provide practical alternatives that people can adopt in daily life rather than making them feel guilty about their habits.
He also reflects on Luxembourg's consensus-driven political culture. He regards the absence of polarisation and personal attacks as a strength compared to countries like France or the United States. At the same time, he admits this style of politics can make it harder to take difficult decisions, but insists it remains possible to move forward in a constructive, consensus-based model.
On government versus opposition
Having lived through ten years of CSV in opposition before entering parliament, Donnersbach has no doubt that being part of the governing majority is more rewarding.
He points out that priorities are more likely to be listened to and acted upon when the party is in power, making his past two years far more satisfying than the previous decade in opposition. He sees it as both a privilege and a heavy responsibility to contribute to decision-making within the parliamentary group.
Donnersbach also makes clear his confidence in PM Luc Frieden. He says Frieden has the experience, credibility, and leadership needed to steer both the party and the country through today's geopolitical and economic difficulties. In his view, the government has chosen the right leader for the challenges of the coming years, which he expects will be difficult and uncomfortable.
Looking ahead
Looking to the rest of the term, Donnersbach says his main priority is to ensure that the housing measures currently in preparation are fully implemented and start producing results. He also wants to cut red tape and simplify procedures for citizens. Ultimately, he hopes that when this legislative period ends, people in Luxembourg will feel their situation has improved compared to when the government took office.
