GOVERNMENT RESHUFFLE – Prime Minister Luc Frieden has announced that CSV faction president Marc Spautz will become Luxembourg’s next Labour Minister, following Georges Mischo’s resignation. Mischo stepped down from both his Labour and Sports portfolios after facing what Frieden described as “hurtful and unfair” criticism in recent weeks. Martine Hansen will take over as Sports Minister. Both appointments require approval from the CSV National Council, with Frieden aiming to complete the government reshuffle by the end of this week. Spautz’s move to ministerial office means the CSV will also need to elect a new faction president.
POVERTY PLAN – Family Minister Max Hahn has unveiled 106 new measures in the national plan against poverty: an increase of child benefits by €45 per month, or €60 for children over the age of 12. Low-income families will receive additional annual aid starting in 2027, ranging from €300 for each child aged four to five up to €3,000 for those aged 12-25. Elderly Luxembourg residents will also receive financial aid to help them afford residential care.
DIGITAL DRIVING LICENCES – Luxembourg is moving towards digital motoring documents, with car insurance certificates going digital from 1 January. The government says digital driving licences and vehicle registration certificates will follow once EU legislation is finalised. Technical regulations are still being drafted in Brussels, with Luxembourg expected to implement them in 2029.
UKRAINE WAR – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome today, following his visit to London where he held talks with the leaders of Britain, France, and Germany. The meetings come after Donald Trump said he was “disappointed” with Zelensky after having US-Ukraine negotiations.
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE – Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado is expected to hold a news conference at the Norwegian Nobel Institute today, the day before the award ceremony. The Venezuelan opposition leader lives in hiding but has indicated she will accept her award in person, despite the risk of being declared a fugitive for leaving her country
CZECH REPUBLIC BABIS – The Czech Republic gets a new head of government today. Right-wing populist and billionaire Andrej Babis won the elections two months ago, and will be sworn in as the new Prime Minister in Prague this morning. He is considered openly EU-sceptical and previously held the role from 2017-2021.
PARAMOUNT BID – In a shock twist, Paramount is trying to scupper the Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery and has launched an all-cash tender offer of $30 per share.
GLOBAL WARMING – 2025 is on track to be the second-warmest year on record, according to the EU’s Copernicus Earth observation programme. Data shows global average temperatures from January through November ran 1.48 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, slightly cooler than 2024’s record high. Copernicus has warned the warming trend is driving increasingly severe weather events, including hurricanes, flooding, and droughts that are expected to claim tens of thousands of lives worldwide.
FOOTBALL – Tonight Matchday 6 of the Champions League league phase kicks off. Inter Milan play Liverpool (which you can watch on RTL Today), Barcelona take on Frankfurt, Bayern vs Sporting Lisbon, Union St. Gilloise play Marseille and Atalanta take on Chelsea.
ATHLETICS – Ruben Querinjean and Patrizia van der Weken were named Athletes of the Year at Luxembourg’s FLA Awards. Querinjean won for his steeplechase breakthrough, while sprinter van der Weken missed the ceremony due to training abroad.
Unlike yesterday, conditions will be largely dry today and although things will get off to a foggy start, there’s a chance we might see some sun breaking through the cloud cover later. Temperatures start off at 6-8°C in the morning, rising to unseasonably warm highs of 12°C in the afternoon.
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