Following PM Luc Frieden's call at the European Parliament on Tuesday for a more unified and competitive EU, Luxembourg's MEPs broadly praised his pro-European tone but criticised the speech for overlooking social justice, housing, and treaty reform issues.

MEP Charles Goerens of the Democratic Party (DP) described it as a positive day for Luxembourg, while MEP Marc Angel of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) felt Frieden had made clear his commitment to a strong and united Europe.

MEP Tilly Metz of The Greens (déi gréng) also applauded the speech for its pro-European tone and said she was pleased that Frieden had highlighted the importance of the Schengen area and the right to asylum.

However, the general approval was not unanimous.

Metz, while welcoming the pro-European stance, criticised what she viewed as an outdated understanding of competitiveness and security. She argued that true competitiveness also requires social cohesion and decarbonisation, which are points emphasised, she noted, by economists Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta, whom Frieden had cited.

Metz added that she was disappointed Frieden had said little about social justice or the rising cost of living, particularly regarding housing, which she described as an issue not only in Luxembourg but across Europe. She stressed that Europe should not become a place where only the wealthy can afford well-insulated homes, warning that failing to address this risked trapping many people in a vicious cycle of high energy costs and poor living conditions.

Angel shared similar concerns, stating that the social dimension of Europe was largely absent from Frieden's address. He pointed out that Frieden is not especially known for focusing on social policy, and regretted that issues such as housing, now a pressing concern across the continent, were not given more attention.

According to Angel, Frieden could have used his speech to call on member states, together with European institutions, regions and municipalities, to find joint solutions. He also remarked that there was little mention of citizens' purchasing power, which he said remains one of the key daily challenges people face.

While welcoming Frieden's reference to the topic of EU enlargement, Angel added that the PM should also have discussed how the EU's rules might need to change to make the Union function more effectively.

Goerens, for his part, also found Frieden's remarks on enlargement too vague. He said what was missing was a clear statement acknowledging the necessity of revising EU treaties to improve the Union's performance, which already faces difficulties operating efficiently with 27 members. Goerens argued that treaty reform must remain a priority, particularly for a founding member like Luxembourg, so that the EU can finally move beyond the constraints of unanimity in decision-making.

Metz concluded that both Europe and Luxembourg now need leaders who are willing to genuinely listen to citizens and show empathy for their concerns.

Later this week, the European Parliament will turn its attention to other key topics, including simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy, a second no-confidence motion against Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in six months, mental health policy, and the ongoing debate over whether the term "veggie burger" should continue to be allowed or be reserved only for products containing meat.