The right to abortion must be enshrined in the constitution to prevent a future parliamentary majority from overturning it, Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel stated Thursday, emphasising the need for broad political consensus during a wide-ranging interview on RTL Radio.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Xavier Bettel addressed several pressing political issues during an interview with our colleagues from RTL Radio on Thursday morning, outlining his positions on abortion rights, tripartite meetings, and the war in Gaza.
Abortion rights: "We are in 2025, not 1700"
A key topic was a proposed constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights, initially tabled by the Left Party (Déi Lénk). The proposal, which is currently under review by the Parliamentary Committee on Institutions and Constitutional Revision, has garnered support from the vast majority of opposition parties.
While Bettel's Democratic Party (DP) is favourable in principle, it has expressed reservations regarding the specific wording. The Christian Social People's Party (CSV) recently clarified its stance, with Prime Minister and CSV president Luc Frieden stating on 17 September that abortion should be considered a "freedom" rather than a "right".
In response, Bettel expressed a pragmatic view. "I don't care what it's called, whether it's a right or a freedom, the important thing is that it is in the Constitution", he stated. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that the primary objective is to prevent a future government from repealing the current law on voluntary termination of pregnancy by a simple qualified majority in parliament.
Bettel called for "broad approval" within the Chamber of Deputies to ensure the procedure is permanently safeguarded. He also responded to recent criticism from Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, stating bluntly, "we are in 2025, not 1700".
Tripartite: "Truly diametrically opposed positions"
The discussion then turned to the recent high-level meeting with social partners on 3 September. Minister Bettel once again referred to the gathering as a "tripartite" meeting, a label Prime Minister Frieden has consistently rejected.
Reflecting on the discussions, Bettel described an impasse, characterising the dialogue as "extreme versus extreme" with "truly diametrically opposed positions" between unions and employers. His comments were a response to statements made by Nora Back, president of the Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL), who had asserted on RTL Radio the previous day that negotiations could have continued.
The Deputy Prime Minister conceded that an agreement could "certainly" have "perhaps" been reached on certain points. He confirmed that Prime Minister Frieden, along with the Ministers of Labour and the Economy, remain ready to continue discussions with the unions.
When questioned on whether the government's proposed solutions left unions with little choice but to be defensive, Bettel reframed the purpose of such meetings. He stated that a "tripartite" is not a forum for winning concessions but for serving "the country's interest" and "securing jobs".
He added a personal note, explaining that he consistently advises employers that "businesses prosper when their employees are happy. And that when employees are happy, businesses prosper."
Shifting to pensions, the Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed that the current government holds "no mandate" to undertake a major pension reform, as the subject was not a feature of the last election campaign. He argued that while the measures decided upon may not be overly ambitious, they are necessary based on the available data.
Bettel concluded by predicting that a profound pension reform will undoubtedly be a central issue in the next election campaign, hinting that he already knows what he would like to see in his party's future manifesto.
Recognising Palestine, sanctioning Israel
The European Commission's recent proposal for sanctions against Israel has received Luxembourg's support "in broad strokes", according to Prime Minister Luc Frieden. However, Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel expressed scepticism on Thursday regarding the feasibility of implementing sanctions specifically against extremist ministers and violent settlers.
"For sanctions, you need unanimity, and I have to tell you that it isn't there", Bettel stated, noting that such measures would likely be blocked by certain member states, an apparent reference to Germany.
He indicated that a different proposal – suspending customs tariff advantages with Israel – has a greater chance of success, as it requires only a qualified majority vote in the European Council.
Separately, Bettel confirmed that Luxembourg will officially recognise Palestine as a state next week during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He explained the timing, noting that a broader coalition of countries is now prepared to take the same step. Additionally, he alluded to receiving assurances from Arab states – a clear, though unspoken, reference to Qatar – that Hamas will be disarmed and play no future governing role.
Israeli bonds
This diplomatic pressure stands in contrast to a recent decision by Luxembourg's Financial Sector Supervisory Commission (CSSF), which on 1 September approved the sale of Israeli bonds on the European financial market – a move that facilitates financing for Israel.
The CSSF sought a political opinion from Minister Bettel after its decision was made. Bettel declined to issue direct guidance, citing the CSSF's regulatory independence. "Personally, I have my opinion," he said, "but if I risked saying now, as a minister, what they should do, I would be told again tomorrow that it's not my role."
He revealed that the CSSF had not consulted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs prior to its 1 September decision, only writing to him two weeks later. Bettel also referenced past criticism from the European Central Bank, which has previously stated that the CSSF was perceived as too close to the government and lacking independence.
While Bettel cited the International Court of Justice's investigation into accusations that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people – which is already considered proven by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI) – and the EU's own move toward sanctions, he emphasised that the decision ultimately rests with the independent CSSF, which he said now appears "delighted to pass the hot potato" to him.
Succession to the throne
Prime Minister Luc Frieden is scheduled to deliver Luxembourg's address at the United Nations General Assembly next week. Under the normal rotation, Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel would have been slated to give the speech next year.
However, Bettel announced on RTL Radio on Thursday that he will cede this opportunity. He plans to step aside to allow the new Grand Duke, Guillaume, to make the address.
