The LSAP politician specifically highlighted that he would step down from politics after this legislative period, stating that he does not want to 'become dependent on a high-ranking political position'. He explained that being dependent on a political position leads a politician to no longer make the right decisions and instead to focus on electoral campaign promises.
Additionally, Schneider has always been clear that he supports term limits. The 2015 referendum included a question on whether government members should be subject to ten-year term limits, but the population voted against the proposal. Schneider entered government in 2012, taking over the mandate of Minister of the Economy from Jeannot Krecké, who stepped down in February 2012. Then, Schneider took office again after the 2013 legislative elections and remained in office for the 2018 elections. By those calculations, Schneider will have been a minister for ten years by February 2022, leaving the LSAP to find a replacement when he steps down before the legislative period ends.
RTL Radio's Eric Ewald spoke to LSAP party president Franz Fayot, asking if congratulations were due to him personally, if he were to become the next Minister of the Economy. Fayot denied the idea and explained that he knew of Schneider's plans for some time now.
Fayot highlighted that it was always clear that Schneider would hold himself to the idea of a ten-year term limit, having been the individual to put forth the suggestion. The party president confirmed that discussions concerning Schneider's eventual succession would take place, to allow a potential successor to prepare for the role.
It remains unclear when exactly Schneider will step down, but the party general council will have to plan the issue of his succession in due course. However, Fayot stressed that Schneider still has a number of ongoing projects and will likely complete these first. The party president also added that the moment would come for the party to discuss his succession, but not just yet. Asked whether he would be interested in a government role, Fayot highlighted that he could not put himself forward as party president. Instead, Fayot stressed the need of party coherence and examining who exactly has the best profile, and the desire, to become Schneider's successor.
