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CNFP president calls for clearer transparency around Luxembourg's public finances

Romain Bausch, president of the National Council of Public Finances (CNFP), has called for greater transparency around Luxembourg's public finances, warning that expenditure is rising faster than expected while several long-term challenges remain unresolved.

Speaking on RTL Radio on Monday morning, Romain Bausch, president of the National Council of Public Finances (CNFP), explained that the CNFP's role is not to make political statements, but to assess whether public finances are developing coherently and in line with the European framework. He said he was surprised that public finances had not been addressed in PM Luc Frieden's recent State of the Nation address, particularly ahead of the tripartite meeting on 2 June.

In Bausch's view, up-to-date public finance figures should be clearly available for such discussions. According to the most recent data analysed by the CNFP, public finances have developed less favourably than expected, Bausch explained. He added that STATEC figures for 2025 show a public-sector deficit of €1.8 billion, compared with a forecast of just over €700 million. This represents a deterioration of around €1 billion compared with projections, he said.

Also today

• Opposition MPs have accused the government of failing to defend the International Criminal Court when state-owned bank Spuerkeess shut its accounts amid US sanctions
• After lengthy negotiations, a unified status has been agreed for around 250 young doctors completing their specialist training in Luxembourg, promising fairer working conditions and pay.
• Luxembourg's Cancer Foundation warned that low tobacco prices, rising youth nicotine use, and limited cessation support are undermining prevention efforts.
• Negotiations to end the Mideast war appeared in deep trouble today, as Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that Tehran had suspended dialogue
• Several non-profit organisations have announced today they are ramping up efforts to rapidly develop a vaccine for the rare strain of Ebola
• An ex-Syrian general and a former senior Syrian police officer pleaded not guilty on Monday to torturing opponents of ousted president Bashar al-Assad as their trial started in Vienna.

On air

Meredith attended the Usine festival on Saturday and John got a lesson on 'Noclipping' into the Backrooms, as the film hits Luxembourg cinemas this week!

Figure of the day

OGBL and LCGB have laid out a joint package calling for a permanent job-protection unit, a higher solidarity tax on big firms, and a €7 billion investment fund,

• Economic and social challenges should be met not with social cuts or pressure on wages, but with investment, training, and a strong sense of social cohesion. That is the message from the joint trade union front ahead of the tripartite talks, set out in a package they have drawn up titled "Competitiveness and Social Dialogue Package".
• A central pillar of the unions' demands is job protection. They are calling for a permanent national job-retention unit that would be active even before major restructurings or layoffs, with affected employees receiving individual support, further training, and financial security.

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