Almost a year ago, politician Dan Hardy stepped into the Chamber of Deputies, replacing Fernand Kartheiser. In this interview with RTL, he shares his priorities, reflects on his first year in office, and explains why he believes his party’s role is unique.
For the conversation, the ADR MP chose a location dear to him: the Kuebebierg, a green space in the heart of Luxembourg City. He spoke warmly of the area’s peace and natural beauty, recalling his years living nearby and how he still visits regularly. On clear nights, he noted, the lack of light pollution makes it one of the few places in the city where one can still admire the stars.
Having now spent close to a year in the Chamber, Hardy says he feels well-settled in the role and genuinely enjoys the work, despite its challenges. He recalled advice from long-time ADR figure Gast Gibéryen, who had told him it takes almost a year to truly find one’s footing in parliament, which Hardy says proved true. While debates can be contentious, he increasingly feels his interventions are recognised, even by colleagues who might not publicly say so.
Hardy believes his party plays a vital role in strengthening democracy by voicing alternative views and defending freedom of expression. He lamented that critical positions often lack sufficient backing, citing the Chamber’s handling of the Caritas affair as an example. For him, a parliamentary inquiry remains necessary, as the special commission’s recent report added little to what was already publicly known.
He also pointed to the ADR’s opposition role during the COVID-19 period, stressing that they had consistently argued for vaccination to remain voluntary. While he does not oversee all the dossiers he might have wished for, such as environmental policy, he still seeks to bring his values into every debate.
These values, he explained, include pride in Luxembourg’s language and culture, and respect for the family unit. He argues that no other party in the Chamber champions these conservative principles in the same way, and worries that they are increasingly being eroded in a more globalised political climate.
Hardy sees the Chamber as increasingly split between what he calls a “left-wing bloc” – comprising The Left (déi Lénk), the Pirate Party (Piratepartei), the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP) and the Greens (déi gréng) – and parties like the ADR, which he considers the only real opposition. He notes that ADR is now the fourth-largest party, having overtaken the Greens in the last election.
On foreign policy, Hardy defended Fernand Kartheiser’s controversial trip to Moscow as a genuine peace initiative, noting Kartheiser’s long diplomatic career and work on human rights. However, Hardy is sharply critical of current geopolitical developments, particularly the decision by US President Donald Trump to send nuclear submarines to Russia’s borders, which he described as dangerously escalating tensions.
He argued that Europe needs to remember its origins as a peace project, and that while helping Ukraine may be understandable, the focus must now shift towards diplomacy rather than risking a wider war. For him, those who loudly demand more weapons should be prepared to face the front lines themselves, which he says most would never do.
A father of four, Hardy describes himself as a family man who enjoys meeting people and has a personal interest in indigenous cultures and their use of medicinal plants. He sees parallels between these cultural preservation efforts and the ADR’s emphasis on safeguarding small languages, protecting local traditions, and valuing family life.
Looking ahead, Hardy intends to serve out his current term and hopes to continue in parliament afterwards. He says he enjoys the job and has no ambition to lead the parliamentary group, praising Fred Keup’s work in that role.
