The Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP) hosted its New Year’s reception in Mersch on Thursday evening, where party leaders took aim at the government coalition between the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) and the Democratic Party (DP) and reaffirmed their commitment to social justice.
Co-Party President Francine Closener criticised the coalition, describing it as “weird, but not funny”, and vowed that the LSAP would resist its policies with “determination and conviction”.
She emphasised that the opposition party would not allow the CSV and DP to dismantle the progress achieved over decades. Closener also stressed that the LSAP’s policies are designed to benefit all of society, not just influential business groups like the Luxembourg Employer’s Association (UEL), the Federation of Luxembourg Industrialists (FEDIL), or the Federation of Craftspeople. “These organisations don’t need us – they’re already sitting as firmly on the Prime Minister’s lap as Elon Musk is on Donald Trump’s”, she remarked.
Sacha Pulli, the newly appointed LSAP Secretary General, echoed these sentiments, declaring that “social justice is the foundation of our democracy”. He called for the LSAP to position itself as a credible alternative to the rising tide of right-wing conservatism in Luxembourg, Europe, and beyond.
Co-Party President Dan Biancalana also criticised the government, accusing it of waging “class warfare from top to bottom.” As an example, he pointed to the controversial pension reform, which has sparked widespread debate.
Biancalana called for policies that deliver tangible improvements to people’s lives, moving beyond merely condemning injustices to actively driving change. He emphasised the importance of rejecting “social coldness” and ensuring that the LSAP provides hope and opportunities, particularly for those facing difficult circumstances. Biancalana warned that failing to address these needs could lead to disillusionment, pushing individuals toward right-wing and far-right politicians who exploit their frustrations with false promises.
Taina Bofferding, head of the LSAP’s parliamentary group, echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of listening to citizens and advocating on their behalf. She highlighted the need to maintain pressure on the government to revise its policies, noting that such efforts are already yielding results.
As an example, Bofferding pointed to the recent reversal by Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Minister of Labour Georges Mischo regarding the exclusive right of trade unions to negotiate collective agreements.
