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New automated number plate recognition system set to be introduced to Luxembourg

A new automated number plate recognition system is set to be introduced in Luxembourg. The system would scan vehicle number plates on roads and cross-check them with police and customs databases. However, Luxembourg’s Council of State has raised objections to the draft law, questioning the lack of clarity over where cameras can be installed and how many can be deployed.

Draft law 8584 outlines the use of this technology to combat terrorism and serious crime, trace refugees and missing persons, and assist in securing major events. However, the Council of State has recently issued a formal objection to the draft legislation. Its principal concerns centre on the lack of clarity regarding where and how many cameras can be installed, and who is authorised to make these decisions. The Council warns that, as currently written, the law could enable permanent surveillance across the entire country.

The Council further criticises the proposal for insufficient restrictions on data access and use. It is unclear which police and customs databases may be used for comparison, and the boundaries of intelligence agency access are not defined.

Minister of Home Affairs Léon Gloden has expressed surprise at what he considers to be an unusually harsh assessment from the Council of State. He maintains that, in the government’s view, the draft law respects the constitution in many areas. While open to minor suggestions such as specifying the databases to be used, Gloden considers the bulk of the Council’s criticism to be excessive.

Also today

• Four European flights were targeted by bomb threats earlier today, forcing the temporary closure of one Warsaw airport.
• A website registered in Malaysia is using the name of Luxembourg journalist Véronique Poujol of reporter.lu to publish a series of extremely serious allegations.
• A 38-year-old Ukrainian man travelling from Luxembourg to Germany was arrested in Trier on Monday under an Interpol arrest warrant.
• October in Luxembourg saw more rainfall, more foggy days, and slightly higher temperatures than average, according to Meteolux.
• Post Luxembourg has launched a call for proposals for commemorative stamps to be issued in 2028 and beyond.

On Air

RTL's Maeve is put to the test in 'The Bigger or Smaller than Luxembourg' quiz on the Drive show with Tom Einarsson. Host Tom challenges her to guess the Grand Duchy's size against other countries, cities, and geographical areas. A fun way to put Luxembourg's relatively small size into perspective!

Figure of the day

2027's Giro d'Italia will stretch more than 3,400 kilometres:

• Giro d'Italia organisers RCS revealed today a "particularly tough" route for the race's 110th edition in 2027, taking in three motor racing circuits.
• The quest to succeed Giro champion Jonas Vingegaard begins in Trieste on 8 May and will end in Rome on 30 May following more than 3,400 kilometres and over 50,000 metres of elevation gain.
• It will have passages around the Mugello and Monza motor racing circuits, as well as the Misano Adriatico, where the fourth stage on 11 May will end. There will be two individual time-trials, like the 2027 Tour de France, and a penultimate stage taking in the mighty Monte Zoncolan.

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