Luc Frieden was re-elected as president of the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) with 88.25% of the vote.
Under the motto “Courageous. Responsible. For Luxembourg”, the CSV held its national congress on Saturday morning at the Däichhal in Ettelbruck. The event focused on the election of a new party leadership.
Prime Minister Luc Frieden, the sole candidate for the presidency, received 88.25% of the votes from the 342 delegates. In his last election in 2024, he had secured 96.25%.
Alex Donnersbach was confirmed as secretary-general with 83%. Françoise Kemp, who had served as co-secretary-general, did not stand for re-election, meaning Donnersbach will now hold the post alone. Kemp, meanwhile, has become the new president of the CSV’s chapter in southern Luxembourg.
Stéphanie Weydert and Christian Weis were confirmed as vice-presidents with 92.7% and 95.4% of the vote, respectively. Martine Hansen was proposed by Frieden to remain as the third vice-president, so no formal election was required. Thierry Schuman continues as treasurer-general.
“We are not a shrinking party that has to hold its congress in a small village pub”, said Schuman, noting the CSV’s 10,000 members. Although attendance fell short of that figure, the Däichhal was well filled with more than 500 people.
In a speech before the vote, Frieden acknowledged that criticism of government policy is normal and healthy in a democracy, adding: “That does not mean that if a decision is commented on, if it is criticised, that we must necessarily stray from our path.” He stressed that the CSV aims to uphold its principles while remaining open to outside views.
Frieden said that over the past two and a half years, the CSV-DP government has worked extensively to deliver on a range of election promises, citing tax policy efforts by Finance Minister Gilles Roth as an example. He noted that the proposed tax reform prioritises families, ensuring that different family situations are taken into account while allowing those who wish to remain under the current system to do so “for the next 20, 25, 30 years”.
Turning to foreign policy, Frieden said the Luxembourg government is deeply concerned by the situation in the Middle East and advocates for de-escalation and diplomacy. While the Iranian people may deserve freedom, he added, the United States and Israel appeared to lack a clear plan to end the conflict. The prime minister also stressed that the government would take measures to support the public if energy prices continue to rise.
Meanwhile, the decision to enshrine abortion as a freedom in the Constitution drew criticism.
Former MP Marie-Josée Frank argued that many women who have undergone an abortion carry a heavy burden for the rest of their lives and that such a move would be inconsistent with the party’s Christian principles.
Fernand Boden and Guy Modert, representing the CSV’s seniors’ wing, expressed regret that a proposal to also enshrine the right to life in the Constitution was not retained.
Nathalie Morgenthaler, speaking as the CSV parliamentary group’s spokesperson on the issue, countered that the legal situation remained unchanged. She noted that the Constitution is intended to establish fundamental principles, and that protecting them was essential. According to Morgenthaler, the matter is primarily one of respect – both for women in difficult situations and for individuals with moral or religious concerns.
