The talks between the two parties began nine days ago. On Friday, the delegations of CSV and DP will reconvene at Senningen Castle to address the challenging task of shaping the new government.
A plenary meeting is scheduled for mid-morning, presided over by Luc Frieden, who has been designated by Grand Duke Henri to oversee the government’s formation, and Xavier Bettel, the outgoing Prime Minister. The primary objective of this meeting will be to determine the responsibilities and portfolios for each party involved. While rumours are already circulating regarding the allocation of ministries, no information has been confirmed.
The prospective Prime Minister, Luc Frieden, is determined to move forward quickly. Speaking to RTL, he emphasised his commitment to swiftly form a government to address pressing concerns, particularly the housing and construction crisis, in addition to the “complicated economic situation” facing the nation.
To identify the key priorities for the government’s first year, twelve task forces have been established. These encompass areas such as finance, housing, healthcare, environmental issues, education, and the fight against poverty. The head of the CSV delegation set the tone last week, calling for “a resolution before the All-Saints holidays.”
Given the optimism expressed by Frieden regarding the negotiations between the two parties, which clearly share a fairly similar vision for the future of the Grand Duchy, things could come to a head very quickly at Senningen Castle.
However, the crucial question that remains is, who will assume leadership roles in vital ministries during this period of multiple crises? While certain elected officials are being mentioned as potential candidates, the competition for roles in foreign affairs, finance, healthcare, and, notably, housing, remains open.
