RTL Today - Your Weekly Recap: Coronation countdown, poverty rates climb, and Palestinian state recognition

Your Weekly Recap for 22–26 September 2025.

Here are five things you should know at the end of this week:

Coronation countdown begins as Luxembourg unveils programme and ramps up preparations
Poverty climbs as housing prices rebound across Luxembourg
Government gives green light to automatic number plate recognition
Palestine recognition and climate crisis dominate post-summer UN General Assembly
Sarkozy sentenced to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy

1. Coronation countdown begins as Luxembourg unveils programme and ramps up preparations

Preparations for the coronation celebrations are in full swing across the Grand Duchy, with rehearsals intensifying and the full programme now released.
From immersive performances and artistic tours to symbolic royal moments, Luxembourg is gearing up for a historic celebration involving over 3,500 citizens and high-profile international guests.

Local businesses also join the coronation craze, from shop window displays to limited-edition products.

Prep in full swing – With just one week to go, Luxembourg has entered the final phase of rehearsals and logistical organisation for the 3–5 October coronation festivities. At Luxexpo and across the country, thousands of citizens are participating in more than 22 cultural and artistic projects.

A 360-degree concert on a rotating stage at the Glacis, a symbolic tram performance on the Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge, and a 12-hour live broadcast by RTL are among the centrepieces of the event. The programme also includes visits by the Grand Ducal couple to multiple towns, each preparing unique artistic contributions.

Citizens at the centre – The theme of the celebration places the people of Luxembourg at the heart of the coronation, with initiatives led by figures such as dramaturge Ian De Toffoli and project manager Marc Scheer.

In Wiltz, children and elderly residents are hand-painting crown-themed plates for a community feast. In Dudelange, inclusive dance rehearsals are underway. Prominent public figures like chef Léa Linster and cyclist Andy Schleck will accompany the royal couple on their nationwide tour.

Boosting local businesses – Shops and brands are embracing the coronation spirit with themed merchandise – from tea towels and porcelain plates to commemorative gin bottles and special beer cans.

Luxair and Émile Weber are branding planes and buses with coronation insignia, while restaurants, boutiques, and artists are decorating windows and selling limited-edition products.

2. Poverty climbs as housing prices rebound across Luxembourg

Luxembourg now tops European rankings for income and housing prices, but also leads in regional poverty rates.
The housing market is rebounding, with property prices surging back towards record highs.
Social organisations are warning of an unprecedented homelessness crisis unless urgent action is taken.

Nation of contrasts – A new French government study has revealed a startling contradiction: Luxembourg boasts the highest disposable income in Europe, but also the hightest poverty rate in North-Western Europe, at 18%.

Particularly affected are large families (40%) and single-parent households (42%). Most strikingly, half of all people classified as poor in Luxembourg are employed, making it the highest such rate in the EU. Pensioners remain a rare exception, with poverty among retirees at just 10% due to relatively generous pensions.

Housing prices – Meanwhile, STATEC and the Housing Observatory reported that Luxembourg's property market rebounded sharply in Q2 2025, with overall prices rising by 4.5% and house prices jumping 7.1% year-on-year.

Deloitte's 2025 Property Index named Luxembourg the most expensive country in Europe to buy a new home (€8,760/sqm), and Luxembourg City the most expensive place to rent (€43.4/sqm), surpassing Paris and Dublin. Despite moderate rent controls, affordability remains under strain for most residents, especially younger and lower-income renters.

Rising homelessness –Amid this economic imbalance, Luxembourg's social sector is sounding the alarm. The Federation of Social Sector Actors (FEDAS) estimates that between 600 and 2,000 people are currently homeless and warns of a looming "wave of homelessness" if emergency government measures aren't enacted.

They are calling for immediate shelter provisions, increased municipal responsibility, and greater mobilisation of vacant housing stock. Without urgent action, social groups say the country could face an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

3. Government gives green light to automatic number plate recognition

Luxembourg is moving ahead with automatic number plate recognition cameras to tackle crime, though privacy concerns are increasing.
The new system will initially target serious offences, not minor traffic violations.
MPs warn of potential overreach, with personal data of innocent drivers and passengers stored for 28 days.

Draft law approved –The government has approved a draft law enabling automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) to be introduced nationwide. The system will begin with motorway installations near borders, where intelligent cameras will scan licence plates and cross-check them with criminal databases in real time. It's being pitched as a tool for serious cases only, such as kidnappings, terrorism, or missing persons.

Surveillance concerns –However, the technology doesn't stop at plates. It records entire vehicles, drivers, and passengers (even those not under suspicion) and stores the footage for 28 days.

Critics, including MPs from the Pirate Party and The Greens, argue this enables covert surveillance of innocent people. They've raised alarms about the system being extended beyond border motorways, risking the creation of "movement profiles" of anyone on Luxembourg roads.

Gloden remains steadfast –Home Affairs Minister Léon Gloden defended the proposal, saying the police need modern tools to stay ahead of organised crime. He stressed the system won't be used for traffic fines and won't feature facial recognition.

Still, the timeline for rollout remains uncertain, pending parliamentary approval, but existing infrastructure could allow for swift motorway deployment once the green light is given.

4. Palestine recognition and climate crisis dominate post-summer UN General Assembly

The UN General Assembly has kicked off in New York, marking the end of the summer lull with highly-anticipated debates, but also a hint of drama.
The recognition of Palestine by France, Luxembourg, and other western powers dominated the early days, with Luxembourg now weighing its own sanctions framework.
Climate change remains high on the agenda, as world leaders warn the 1.5°C goal is slipping out of reach and call for new national commitments ahead of COP30.

UNGA opens –The United Nations General Assembly launched this week in New York, drawing a line under the slower summer news cycle. Global leaders returned to the podium amid rising geopolitical tensions and the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine.

The first days of the assembly brought a burst of activity and some unexpected theatre. A surprise roadblock by Trump's motorcade prompted French President Emmanuel Macron to call him directly on the street. The call, described as warm and pragmatic, underscored the stakes of this year's diplomatic gathering, especially in light of sharp divergences between the US and European powers over Palestine and climate.

Palestinian statehood – Luxembourg formally recognised the State of Palestine this week, joining France, the UK, Belgium, and others in a coordinated effort to revive negotiations and increase international pressure for a two-state solution. Prime Minister Frieden and Foreign Minister Bettel framed the decision as a historic, pro-peace step and underlined that four of the five permanent UN Security Council members have now recognised Palestine.

In a symbolic address to the UN, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the 7 October Hamas attacks, stressed that Hamas would have no role in future governance, and called for elections and international support for a reformed, democratic Palestinian state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to address the General Assembly on Friday.

In the wake of the recognition, Luxembourg announced it is analysing the creation of a national sanctions framework and coordinating with Benelux partners on possible joint measures. Bettel confirmed that Luxembourg will also support Palestinian governance reforms and called for greater urgency on humanitarian aid in Gaza, where the UN reports that only four functioning food distribution centres remain.

Climate –At the UN General Assembly, climate took centre stage as Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C is "on the verge of collapsing". With COP30 fast approaching, Guterres urged countries to submit credible 2035 emissions plans, stressing that only a drastic and immediate reduction in greenhouse gas output can keep the target alive. Climate progress has slowed amid global crises, but the UN argues that the Paris Agreement has still made a difference, with projected global warming already down from 4°C to just under 3°C.

While the US under President Trump skipped the climate summit, with Trump calling climate change a "con job", China pledged to cut emissions by 7–10% over the next decade, expand green tech, and peak its carbon output early. France and Brazil co-chaired the summit, pushing for concrete action ahead of COP30.

5. Sarkozy sentenced to five years in prison

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was sentenced to five years in prison, becoming the first modern French head of state ordered to serve jail time.
The verdict results from accusations that he'd conspired to secure Libyan funding for his 2007 election campaign, although he denies those charges.
The court deemed the offences of "exceptional gravity", sparking political shockwaves and comparisons to postwar legal history.

Five-year sentence – On Thursday, a Parisian court sentenced Nicolas Sarkozy to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy related to alleged funding by late Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi of his 2007 presidential campaign.

Although Sarkozy plans to appeal these charges, the court ordered he be placed in custody regardless. This makes him the first French president in contemporary history to serve time behind bars since Philippe Pétain, France's leader during the Nazi occupation.

Legal and political fallout – The ruling follows two earlier convictions, which Sarkozy had managed to avoid serving in prison. This time, however, the court imposed a €100,000 fine and a ban from holding public office.

Other former allies also received sentences, while the prosecution now has one month to set a prison report date.

Stunning downfall – Once perceived as a dynamic reformer, Sarkozy left office in 2012 with record-low approval ratings.

Despite his defiance and public declarations of innocence, Sarkozy now carries the legacy of being the first postwar French leader to face actual incarceration.

The best of... 📚

Business & Tech – EU leaders crack down on children's social media use, with tech giants like Meta rolling out teen-specific protections as momentum builds for a bloc-wide "digital majority age".
Science & Environment – The world's second-largest diamond of 2,488 carats was discovered in Botswana, with its fate now being decided between a museum or a billionaire's private vault.
Entertainment – Rockhal celebrated 20 years of Luxembourgish music on Wednesday, with an electrifying anniversary concert uniting over 40 artists across countless genres.
Sport –PSG forward Ousmane Dembélé clinched the Ballon d'Or, football's most prestigious individual prize.

And in case you missed it... ⚠️

Digital detox – A Luxembourg school hosted a screen-awareness day with workshops and activities, aiming to teach pupils healthier phone habits as part of a national campaign against smartphone overuse.
Pop culture galore – Comic Con has unveiled its star-studded guest line-up for November, featuring Ian McDiarmid, Jason Isaacs, Evanna Lynch, and Jamie Campbell Bower at LuxExpo.
From March 2026 – Scandinavian Airlines will launch twice-daily flights between Luxembourg and Copenhagen from March 2026, adding new competition to the route so far served only by Luxair.
EU-UK mobility – From October 12, UK rail travellers to the EU will face new fingerprint and facial scans, as part of the bloc's long-delayed Entry/Exit System rollout at the Channel Tunnel and Eurostar terminals.

Your Weekly Recap is published every Friday at noon. Read earlier versions.