If elections were held this Sunday, the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR) would achieve its best-ever result with 12.8% of the vote and eight seats, according to the latest RTL poll.
Democratic Party (DP) MP Gérard Schockmel commented that Luxembourg "is not an island", in other words, not immune to the political trends observed abroad, thus arguing that established parties must accept some responsibility for these shifts.
However, he declined to outline how the DP might address such developments, stating that this was a subject for another programme.
Schockmel, who is also a practising medical doctor, addressed public health policy, describing the current situation as unsatisfactory.
He explained that the coalition government of the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) and the DP aims to promote outpatient care, enabling doctors to operate with greater independence from hospitals.
Legislative proposals are underway to support this transition, which Schockmel believes is positive, as treatments not requiring hospitalisation should be available outside of hospital settings.
However, he noted that a 2023 law on hospital antennas has created an imbalance by giving hospitals an advantage over doctors, with hospitals gaining a competitive edge for the past three years and even taking over some private initiatives, which is an outcome he said was never intended.
The Luxembourg Association of Doctors and Dentists (AMMD) has ended its agreement with the National Health Fund (CNS) and refuses to sign a new one unless the legal framework is reformed.
Schockmel observed that the AMMD had always made clear its demands would require legislative change, but neither the CNS nor the government showed willingness to negotiate.
The government must now, by 31 October, transpose certain provisions from the convention into a grand ducal regulation, with subsequent changes to the Social Security Code expected.
The MP sees this as an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions with the AMMD and pursue more comprehensive reforms, adding that such changes align with the coalition agreement and that the government should be more accommodating going forward.
The current fee system for medical services is also outdated, according to Schockmel. He explained that new treatments and tests are not reflected in the existing nomenclature, while some fees remain unnecessarily high because of advances in technology.
Private doctors have established a nationwide network of medical infrastructure through their own initiative and expense, which is a contribution that he feels should receive greater recognition.
He also criticised the current governance of the CNS, saying it does not sufficiently represent realities on the ground or the central role of doctors.
In his view, it is legitimate to call for a revision of this governance. Schockmel further noted that while collective agreements in hospitals are regularly updated, changes to the doctors’ convention often face resistance.
When asked whether the AMMD had gone too far in its criticism, such as accusing the health minister of misinformation, Schockmel expressed understanding for the association's combative stance.
When an organisation feels pushed into a corner, it is natural to raise its voice in order to be heard, he said. While acknowledging that the tone has sometimes been aggressive, the underlying problems necessitate far-reaching reforms.
Turning to housing and climate policy, Schockmel was asked about the DP’s call for higher density and taller construction.
He recognised the party’s responsibilities in Luxembourg City, but pointed out that the housing crisis has reached unprecedented proportions, even if the issue itself is not new.
Finally, Schockmel indicated that the DP is willing to adjust its approach and consider alternative solutions in response to the scale of the current crisis.
