At the New Year’s reception of the Democratic Party (DP) in Bertrange on Thursday evening, Minister for Foreign Affairs Xavier Bettel emphasised the strong collaboration between the DP and its coalition partner, the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV). The event, attended by around 200 guests, highlighted the party’s achievements and priorities for the coming year.
DP representatives underscored their commitment to “remaining calm, moving forward, and finding pragmatic solutions,” which they described as the party’s core strengths. They reflected on last year’s accomplishments, including the implementation of a “relief package” and various social measures, while also addressing ongoing global and domestic challenges.
Bettel, who recently returned from Davos, humorously remarked, “I came straight from Davos into Cactus – and believe me, I prefer to be here!” He acknowledged the demands of his role as foreign minister, which often keeps him abroad, but noted that his visits to conflict zones like Israel, Palestine, and Ukraine have reinforced his appreciation for Luxembourg’s stability and prosperity. “There are places where peace was once taken for granted, but it is no longer there. We are fortunate to have access to education, food, and the ability to resolve issues through dialogue, even when it’s difficult”, Bettel said.
DP President Lex Delles echoed this sentiment, emphasising the party’s focus on problem-solving as one of its defining characteristics. Bettel also stressed the importance of maintaining social dialogue, stating that social conflict benefits no one. He highlighted the DP’s diversity as a source of strength, saying: “That’s the strength of our party: we respect each other and work together for the common good, not against one another.”
Concluding his speech, Bettel reaffirmed the unity of the government coalition, stating that the DP and CSV are not only working together but also “sticking together”.
