Specifically, MPs discussed the draft bill on amending the free movement of people in the EU in light of Brexit. The question predominantly concerns Britons who have made Luxembourg their home - how will they be affected by the United Kingdom's exit from the EU at the end of the month?
The question is one that has been asked on many an occasion and Luxembourgish lawmakers have been limited in their responses by the lack of clarity surrounding the UK's exit.
In this week alone, the Houses of Parliament are due to vote on three scenarios: a second meaningful vote on May's Brexit deal, a no-deal scenario, and a third vote on Thursday. This third vote depends on the outcome of the two previous votes: if a majority of MPs vote against the motions, then the third vote will concern extending Article 50 in order to resolve the outstanding issues.
As a result, Luxembourg's lawmakers remain in limbo concerning resolving the status of Britons in Luxembourg after Brexit. As the project rapporteur LSAP MP Marc Angel explained, the draft bill that MPs are discussing would apply in the case of a Brexit with a deal.
As Angel explained, the main point is to clarify how and when Britons can update their residential documents during the transition phase. Britons will not have to update their documents during this phase, but can do so - after the end of 2020, this will be obligatory for all British residents in Luxembourg.
Angel also confirmed that the immigration directorate has hired eight additional employees to specifically work on British applications.
After the meeting, CSV MP Viviane Reding stressed the need to give these residents assurances that they are entitled to stay in the country. She said it would be absurd for British residents to suddenly no longer have the right to live in the Grand Duchy because the UK would be viewed as a third country. If the UK deadlock leads to a hard Brexit, then Britons in Luxembourg will only keep their normal rights for another year.
Both the Luxembourgish government and the opposition are unanimous: they do not want to let any of the Grand Duchy's residents suffer. The MPs highlighted that the legislation they are working on concerns people and families, who should not suffer as a result of politics.
On the bright side, the government does have some clarity concerning British citizens working in the civil service. A specific draft bill is set to guarantee that these residents will keep their jobs, whether Brexit occurs with a withdrawal agreement or without.
The Democratic Party's Gusty Graas explained that 42 Britons work in Luxembourg's civil service, the majority of which work as teachers in state schools. In theory, a no-deal Brexit could mean that these residents lose their jobs as of 1 April. The separate draft bill protects these individuals and their jobs whatever the Brexit scenario. However, Graas highlighted that MPs must vote on the draft legislation before 1 April in order for it to enter into effect.
