In early April, representatives of the LSAP, the Greens, CSV, Pirates and the ADR travelled to Florianopolis, near Sao Paulo, to spread awareness of the Luxembourg voting system to a couple of hundred residents who possess Luxembourgish nationality. They were joined virtually by Prime Minister Xavier Bettel.
The majority of those in attendance had received Luxembourgish citizenship by way of “reclaiming” their ancestors’ nationality. In order to be eligible, applicants had to prove they were direct descendants of Luxembourgish citizens prior to the deadline in 2018.
The taxpayer-funded trip consequently triggered a widespread discussion over the eligibility of these citizens to vote in parliamentary elections, despite never having lived in Luxembourg.
The question is justified, says Schilt. However, it does beg the question of why Luxembourg residents with other nationalities are not permitted to vote in parliamentary elections in the country they live in. Schilt believes the right to vote was, at one point in history, decided in conjunction with nationality by former legislators. In spite of this, she adds that MPs elected to the Chamber are subsequently responsible not just for Luxembourgish citizens, but for all of the country’s inhabitants, regardless of their passport.
RTL submitted the following question to Luxembourg’s political parties:
Should people with Luxembourgish nationality, living abroad, still be eligible to vote in parliamentary elections, and more to the point, should it be mandatory for these citizens?
Yes, they should have the right to vote: Fokus, Volt
They should have the active right to vote: LSAP, DP, Greens, CSV, Déi Lénk, Pirates, KPL, Conservatives
They should have both the active and passive (ability to stand as a candidate) right to vote: ADR
