LOCAL & NATIONAL NEWS

 

MONDAY 5 DECEMBER

Former employees of the childcare facility “Leiwe Leiw” have further incriminated the nursery’s manager. Witnesses in court said the manager had intimidated the children, and one former employee said she had been fired after three days’ work for questioning the manager’s practices. The manager is accused of assault against children. According to witnesses, children in the nursery were forced to eat quickly, even when the food was too hot and when they weren’t hungry. The nursery was closed five years ago after the case had become public. The trial started last week and is expected to be finished in January.

Parts of the forest Bobesch between Bascharage and Sanem will be cleared. The administrative court has given green light for the deforestation rejecting the request for temporary cancellation made by the Citizen initiative from the Municipality of Suessem. The construction works, namely the lowering of gas pipelines, could begin this year, the ministry of transport and road administration said in a press release. The redesign of the by pass road CR110 is expected to minimise traffic disruptions in Bascharage. The start of the works has been postponed twice following objections by the citizen initiative and associated initiatives that oppose the deforestation. In the press release, the ministry says that “the number of trees and shrubs to be removed will be kept to the absolute minimum necessary, and all precautions will be taken to protect bats.”

On Saturday, hundreds of people marched through Esch-sur-Alzette for the closing event of the Orange Week. Representatives of several organisations as well as local and national politicians participated in the protest march showing solidarity with victims of violence. The Orange Week is an international event for the elimination of violence against women. Numerous events took place across the country in the last week to raise awareness about the topic.

The Red Cross has called for property owners to rent out their apartments to those in need, as winter approaches. In a press release, the charity appealed to the sense of solidarity people have shown towards Ukrainian refugees. The Red Cross offers to act as a guarantor or to assist owners in renting to people via the social rental management programme. The charity at the moment provides shelter for 1.500 people in need but their facilities are all occupied while the need is increasing, they say. The Red Cross searches all types of accommodation across the country. Interested owners can find all information on their website.

 

FRIDAY 2 DECEMBER

The health ministry announced this week that the number of new HIV infections rose last year with over 1,100 people with the virus. Official figures revealed that fifty people were infected with the virus last year, compared to 33 in 2020. According to the World Health Organisation, more than 38 million people are living with the virus worldwide, with 650,000 deaths because of HIV-related illnesses. Organisation figures also showed that between 1.1 and 2 million new infections were registered globally in 2021.

Following a letter bomb explosion on Wednesday at the Ukrainian embassy in Madrid, the honorary consul of Ukraine in Luxembourg, Claude Radoux, said yesterday he was “concerned” about local security measures. Speaking to L’essentiel, Radoux asked how it was possible that people would target those who are there to help the Ukrainian population in Luxembourg. The honorary consul said he hoped not to become a victim of anti-Ukrainian feeling by “irrational people” due to the extended conflict and information warfare.

The Liaison Committee for Foreigners’ Associations announced this week that it is pushing for the creation of a new government institution to help deal with questions of migration. The non-profit organisation, which joins 190 associations devoted to helping immigrants from different countries, believes a ‘Ministry for Civic Rights’ would ensure that every immigrant has their rights respected and is treated equally upon arriving in Luxembourg. The CLAE is also advocating for the new government institution to make civic rights into a new school subject, which they think should be taught from a young age.

Luxembourg’s statistics agency – STATEC – said yesterday that the government’s two energy aid packages, worth €1.7 billion, will add 0.5 percentage points this year and 1.5 next year to the country’s economic growth. STATEC’s press release also claimed that Luxembourg’s economy will grow by 2% this year and 4% in 2023. The EU’s statistics agency – Eurostat – claimed that  inflation in the eurozone had dropped to 10% in November, from 10.6% the previous month. Luxembourg’s annual inflation rate dropped 1.5 percentage points to 7.3% last month, according to Eurostat.

 

THURSDAY 1 DECEMBER

The State Council this week announced it had detected weaknesses in the text of the draft bill designed to waive Government Ministers’ immunity to prosecution. The council’s objections included a lack of clarity in defining the relationship between the prosecution and parliament in such cases and whether parliament allowing one investigation would also bind it to probe other future cases. The concerns regarding the draft bill will further delay ex-government minister Carole Dieschbourg being questioned about allowing an illegal building permit which led to her resignation in April.

The General Confederation of the Civil Service yesterday criticised Minister for the Civil Service, Marc Hansen, for publishing a study on the salaries of civil servants last week and stressed that it will not back down from its original demands in the upcoming wage negotiations. In its press release, the trade union expressed surprise at the timing of the study’s publication, given that wage discussions are imminent, and accused the Minister of trying to put pressure on the trade union.

Luxembourg’s third prison opened yesterday and from next week will receive its first prisoners from the overcrowded Schrassig facility. The new prison in Sanem, which cost €150 million and 15 years to build, can keep up to 400 inmates and will hold male suspects in custody while awaiting trial. Director of the Penitentiary Administration Serge Legil told the Luxemburger Wort that inmates at Sanem will have more freedom then in Schrassig and will now be able to do two-hour yard walks. Inmates will also no longer have to eat their meals in their cells as is the case in the overloaded Schrassig prison.

The Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions yesterday again claimed that attacks on bus drivers are increasing and urged the government to act immediately. Luxembourg’s largest trade union said aggressive behaviour aimed at bus drivers had become progressively more common since Covid and public transport became free, with at least 15 violent attacks recorded in 2022. Safety cabins for bus drivers will begin to be installed in January but the LCGB claims this is not enough and is pushing for an emergency button and security cameras on buses. The union also wants an expanded police presence on public transport and has requested an urgent meeting with Minister for Mobility François Bausch and Minister of Internal Security Henri Kox.

 

WEDNESDAY 30 NOVEMBER

On the second day of the official economic mission to South Korea, the Luxembourg delegation inaugurated new production facilities of Lintgen-based Rotarex. This is the first investment in South Korea by the company wholly owned by Luxembourg private shareholders. The delegation chaired by the Hereditary Grand Duke, and directed by the Minister of Economy Franz Fayot then visited the War Memorial , in tribute to the Luxembourg volunteers who died during the Korean War. A day prior Mr. Fayot, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Minister of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the exploration and use of space resources for peaceful purposes. Today Mr. Fayot will travel to Japan with official meetings in Osaka and then on to Tokyo.

The Luxembourg Consumer Protection Association has said that it is sceptical whether the temporary VAT cut announced for 2023 will have a noticeable effect on consumer purchasing power. The 1% reduction from 1 January to 31 December 2023 was part of the recent tripartite agreement. However, as this reduction does not apply to the super-reduced rate of 3%, its impact on everyday consumer products, such as food, could be limited. As for the other rates, the consumer protection association adds that the reduction will only be effective if businesses pass it on to consumers. The cost of this measure is estimated at 317 million euros, or nearly 500 euros per inhabitant. 

The Ministry for Mobility and Public Works announced earlier this week that the three red light cameras installed in Hollerich will become fully operational on Thursday, 1 December.  Until now, the speed cameras have flashed without any fines being issued as they remained in the testing phase. It should be noted that the cameras are able to detect both speeding and running of red lights. In the case of speeding, authorities emphasise that a tolerance of 3 km/h is applied below 100 km/h and 3% above 100 km/h. Since their installation in June 2022, the speed cameras have recorded an average of 800 daily violations. The Ministry further reports that almost 30,000 speeding violations and 316 red light violations were recorded in the month of September alone.

Minister of Culture Sam Tanson announced yesterday the short list of nominees in the five categories of the Lëtzebuerger Musekspräisser 2022. ARA’s own Jana Bahrich’s band Frances of Delirium was named in two categories: new talent and performers who have presented a successful musical project over the past three years. The presentation of the first Lëtzebuerger Musekspräisser will take place on Wednesday 21 December 2022 at the Rockhal in Belval.

 

TUESDAY 29 NOVEMBER

623 people have applied for subsidies on photovoltaic systems this year, but none of the applications has been processed so far. Environment minister Joelle Welfring and Energy Minister Claude Thurmes published these numbers in their response to a parliamentary question of Pirates MP Marc Goergen. According to the two ministers’ response, the process takes longer, because personnel is lacking and because half of the applications are not complete, documents are missing, or information is inconsistent. The officers had to follow up on these cases first and ask for the corrections. 159 applications of the past five years since the introduction of the subsidy in late 2016 are still open and not complete. The average waiting time is 182 days.

European Parliament member Monica Semedo denies all new allegations of psychological harassment. In her statement, the independent politician says that she has been waiting for a hearing at the commission. But that they had denied her the right to bring a lawyer, and that the commission has not sent her any notice of a judgement. The commission within the European parliament is tasked with investigating the accusations of psychological harassment made by her former assistant. Based on the results of this investigation, the president of the European parliament decides wether Monica Semedo gets suspended. Semedo says she is surprised about this obvious leak of information to the press, and she denounces the allegedly offensive press coverage.

Video footage posted on social media shows how a policeman smashes a man’s head against the window of the police van, after having arrested him at the Christmas market in Bertrange on Saturday. The man has not shown any resistance to the arrest nor given any other reason for the police to use physical violence. The newspaper Tageblatt identified the man as Ben Schronen, a prominent anti-vax protester who participated in the riots outside the private homes of politicians Xavier Bettel and Corinne Cahen. The police did not answer Tageblatt’s request for the reasons of his arrest and for a statement on the alleged police brutality. Ben Schronen, however, told Tageblatt that he had spent the night at the police station, and that police refused him to take his medication when he had an asthmatic attack in the cell. He was brought to the hospital instead. Minister of the Police Henri Kox said he couldn’t say anything to the accusations and that it was the General Police’s Inspection’s role to investigate such acts of the police.

 

MONDAY 28 NOVEMBER

20 percent of women aged 16 to 74 have experienced physical, sexual or psychological violence at least once in the last 12 months. 80 percent of these women have not contacted police or any professional of the health service or victim assistance. The national statistic agency Statec published these numbers on Saturday, the international day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. At the occasion, the government published a declaration to highlight the importance of this subject. The yearly international Orange Week has started this weekend. Until the 10th of December numerous events take place in Luxembourg. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the elimination of violence against women.

More than 188.000 whatsapp accounts in Luxembourg were hacked, RTL reported. The cyberattack is part of an international offence. In total, the data of nearly 500 million whatsapp users has been hacked and is up for sale to scammers. The leaked information could be used for marketing, phishing, identity theft, and fraud.

European parliament member Monica Semedo allegedly faces new harassment allegations.  The Luxemburger Wort reported that she is again subject to an investigation after an employee reported allegations of psychological harassment at the workplace. President of the European parliament Roberta Metsola, following recommendations of the responsible committee, suspended Monica Semedo for the coming weeks until the decision on sanctions will be taken in January. Last year, Monica Semedo was already suspended on the same grounds. In her former party DP, similar incidents had led to her leaving the DP in the beginning of last year. Since then, she is independent and member of the liberal parliamentary group Renew Europe.

On Friday, the Youth council organized their yearly youth convention in the Chamber of deputies. Nearly 80 youngsters were invited to elaborate present their policy proposals in a debate with politicians. Their demands include measures for more inclusion of LGBTIQ+, people with handicap and other minority groups by reducing stereotypes, as well as the right to vote from 16 years on.

On Saturday, Youth for Climate organised a protest in the city centre. Around 100 climate activists marched through the city of Luxembourg in a silent march – to express the negligence their demands have been treated with.  

 

FRIDAY 25 NOVEMBER

The European Space Agency has nominated the first astronaut with Luxembourg citizenship earlier this week in Paris. Raphaël Liégeois, a scientist from the University of Geneva will fly under the Belgian flag, but he grew up partly in Differdange and has also had a Luxembourg passport for a number of years. He was one of five chosen out of 23,000 candidates. Economy Minister Franz Fayot said that this was exceptional news and gave credit to Belgium who has invested heavily in their own astronaut program over the past few years. He further stated that even if Raphaël will act primarily under the Belgian banner, he will also be an important ambassador for Luxembourg. 

Alternative Democratic Reform Party MP Roy Reding was sentenced yesterday to a suspended one-year prison sentence and a €50,000 fine for fraud. The MP failed to make buyers aware that a basement apartment of a Kirchberg property was not fit for habitation. In 2016, the court ordered the restoration of the basement, with demands to convert the apartment into a cellar due to non-compliance with municipal regulations. However, no building permit was requested. The person who later acquired the building was not informed of this circumstance. Reding’s defence submitted a plea for acquittal, as no one had been harmed by the building sale. Reding signalled his intention to appeal the decision in a post on Twitter.

Over the past five years, almost half as many people have suffered violent robberies compared to the previous five years according to Statec in a report on property damage released yesterday. On the other hand, the number of victims of robbery without violence jumped from 13% to 17%. Bank fraud has been the most common crime over the last half decade with one in five residents having reported falling victim. Just under 20% of the population has been defrauded during purchase or payment, the study said. Young people are twice more likely to be a victim of theft and fraud.

Health Minister Paulette Lenert is the most popular politician in Luxembourg, the latest survey of voters has found, pulling ahead of Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn less than a year until the country goes to the polls to choose its next leader. Lenert scored an approval rating of 79% in the latest Politmonitor survey, carried out for the Luxemburger Wort and RTL.  As part of a cabinet reshuffle, Lenert was appointed deputy prime minister in January this year, but has not stated whether she will run for the top job in 2023. Xavier Bettel, who said last month that he intends to stay on as Prime Minister should he win the backing of the electorate and his own party, has an approval rating of 72%. Lydie Polfer, the mayor of Luxembourg City, is the country’s fourth-most popular politician, with 64% support.

 

THURSDAY 24 NOVEMBER

The results of the latest Politmonitor survey published this week show that affordable housing, rising energy prices and inflation continue to be the biggest worries for Luxembourg voters. ousing has been the primary concern of respondents in previous surveys, and people continue to struggle as property prices continue to rise causing a fifth of employees in the city to live below the poverty threshold. 66% of those surveyed were greatly concerned about energy prices that have risen sharply, due to the war in Ukraine, despite government measures to protect households and businesses by restricting the cost of electricity and gas until the end of 2023. Respondents also said politicians should focus on climate change and children’s futures.

The Ministry of Social Security announced this week that the social threshold for remote working has now been suspended until 30 June 2023. This means that all remote working days performed by a cross-border worker will be exempt from the European 25% regulation, which normally triggers a change in social security affiliation if the threshold is crossed. The Ministry also stipulated that this decision would have no effect on tax thresholds. French and Belgian employees in Luxembourg benefit from 34 days of remote work without being taxed in their country of residence while cross-border workers living in Germany have 19 days.

Minister of Health Paulette Lenert said this week that lessons learned from the coronavirus pandemic have helped hospitals deal with the many bronchiolitis cases in young children. 45 children are currently in hospital with bronchiolitis, but the Minister hoped that, based on data from other countries, the situation will soon improve. Regarding criticism from parents who had to sleep in armchairs while staying with their children, Ms Lenert said the Ministry of Health was aware that the situation is not ideal but argued that hospitals were doing their best.

The Minister of Equality between Women and Men, Taina Bofferding, yesterday launched a new information and awareness campaign called “Sexism: Recognize it. Talk about it. Stop it!”. The campaign’s objectives are to provide a definition of sexism, showcase its various aspects and prompt behavioural changes. Minister Bofferding explained that sexism is present in all aspects of life, and consists of any public or private act, gesture, image, verbal or written word, behaviour or policy based on the idea that someone is inferior because of their sex. The campaign consists of audio-visual clips to be broadcast on television, radio, cinema, websites and social media, an action page, and a brochure.

 

WEDNESDAY 23 NOVEMBER

Finance minister Yuriko Backes announced a “still favourable” public finance balance when she presented the public balance sheet this week but advised that it was “too early to draw conclusions”. The government’s positive balance decreased from €1.1bn in June to €924m on 30 September 2022. Wage and salary taxation from Luxembourg’s vigorous labour market, the collective effect of two salary indexations and the postponement of a 2021 payment to the beginning of 2022 all contributed to the favourable result. Backes said she was confident in the resilience of public finances and maintained her “commitment to targeted tax cuts that favour the purchasing power of households and the competitiveness of the Luxembourg economy.

The Association for the Support of Immigrant Workers issued a press release this week denouncing hate speech and pushing for more rigorous penalties. The ASTI pointed to its own encounter with online hate speech when it filed a complaint against MP Fred Keup from the Alternative Democratic Reform Party for defamation and incitement to hatred. Keup had failed to comment on or condemn user reactions on his Facebook page which included racist insults and death threats against ASTI president Laura Zuccoli. ASTI believes that politicians have forgotten the issue and insist that Luxembourg’s prosecution policies be revised.

Luxembourgish drivers will soon be able to use a digital version of their driving licence on mobile phones.  Currently, motorists caught without a copy of their licence are liable to a €24 fine and four points but thanks to a draft law that was adopted last week, drivers will be able to show it on their phone instead. The ministry for digitalisation announced that the digital licence, to be introduced in the first quarter of 2023, will have the same legal value as a paper document and can be consulted ‘offline’.

A demonstration called “Make Amazon Pay” is planned for this Friday, aka Black Friday, at Place Clairefontaine in Luxembourg City. 30 events are planned globally and are co-organised by a coalition of over 80 organisations uniting workers and citizens, and directed by Progressive International and UNI Global Union, representing over 20 million workers in 150 countries. Organisers said that Amazon is suffocating communities by not paying income tax in Europe in 2021 and received €1 billion in tax credits on €55 billion in sales. They are demanding an end to what they call the destructive and exploitative practices by Amazon.

 

TUESDAY 22 NOVEMBER

Environment minister Joëlle Welfring on Monday praised the historic loss-and-damage-fund established at the United Nations climate summit in Sharm El sheikh, Egypt saying it will help assist developing countries but she urged big polluters to act on the pledges echoing the frustration among climate campaigners over the “empty words and promises” of global leaders to take real action. Mrs Welfring also warned that the overall climate agreement, signed by around 200 countries, is still not far-reaching enough for the planet. The minister told RTL that she was expecting a tougher stance on fossil fuel and its nefarious impact on the environment.

The European Statistical Office (Eurostat) estimates that the population of Luxembourg’ will reach 781,000 people by the end of the century with the median age shifting from a little under 40 to just about 50. Previous estimates put population growth in Luxembourg to over one million by the year 2080. And While the European Union’s overall population is projected to decrease by 2100, Luxembourg will see a steady increase of 21% thanks to migration. The current population stands at 651,207 as of yesterday Monday, November 21, based on the latest United Nations data. It is equivalent to 0.01% of the total world population. Over 88% of the population lives in urban areas.

The average number of registered job seekers increased by 3.8% in September and October, according to a recent jobs report from the National Employment Agency (ADEM). The increase is largely attributable to the young labour entering the job market. The unemployment rate remains unchanged at 4.9% according to the ADEM. The number of jobs available at the end of October is 13 033 mainly in the construction, accommodation, catering and temporary work sectors. The ten occupations most frequently sought by employers in October are: IT studies and development, Accounting, Secretarial jobs, Credit and banking risk analysis, Project management in information systems, kitchen staff, Defense and legal advice, Restaurant service, financial analysis, Consulting and business management.

The Federation of Craftspeople has raised concern about liquidity in the sector saying that turnover has decreased across all areas, and notably in construction where both private and institutional investors seem hesitant. Officials speaking on the sidelines of the Federation’s General Assembly estimated that only 2,300 accommodations will be developed next year from the projected 3,800. The FDA said the downturn was pushed by an inflationary environment, where rising prices meant a lower demand. The federation urged the government to take action calling for a temporary reintroduction of the 3% value-added tax on new rented flats and on renovation projects. It also called for the abolishment of registration fees for completed construction projects. The Luxembourg-based federation known as the Fédération des Artisans unites some 7000 crafts businesses and employs around 90,000 people.

 

MONDAY 21 NOVEMBER

The current bronchiolitis epidemic overstrains the paediatric services. According to Tageblatt 56 children are in the children’s hospital Kannerklinik at the moment. The Luxembourg society of paediatricians says that the situation is critical and that they’ve already postponed numerous operations due to the lack of capacities. The Kannerklinik together with the ministry of health have put in place a crisis unit to elaborate a plan on how to reduce hospitalisations and increase the number of available beds. Meanwhile, the paediatricians’ society advises parents to apply all health measures practised during the covid-19 pandemic, such as wearing face masks, avoiding family visits and keeping the children at home when they are sick. Parents are also advised to call their paediatrician via phone before heading to the practice or the emergency room as paediatric emergency rooms are overcrowded as well. The neighbouring countries France and Belgium as well are concerned about the spread of bronchiolitis which is worse than in previous years. Bronchiolitis is a virus infection that attacks the respiratory system. Newborns and toddlers are particularly vulnerable to the virus. For older children, the virus is less dangerous. 

Foreign minister Jean Asselborn justified the situation in the refugee camps in his response to the yearly report of the Ombudsman for children and youngsters (Okaju). The Okaju is an independent institution that protects the rights of children in Luxembourg. In their report, they criticise the situation in the camps for children and youth. They’ve observed that children’s rights are not respected sufficiently, and highlighted particularly the camp in Mersch. Jean Asselborn in response to these observations said that the numbers of applicants for international protection were extremely high this year, even higher than in 2015 and 2016. He said the camps were temporary solutions to manage the high demand, and that the National Reception Office ONA was searching for new accommodation. Priority however was to welcome the refugees safely, the foreign minister said.

Luxembourg is going to withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty. The government’s council approved energy minister Claude Thurmes’ proposal on Friday. Luxembourg follows the example of Germany, France and the Netherlands who have recently announced their withdrawal saying that the treaty violated the goals of the Paris Agreement and the European Union’s climate goals. The EU had announced a reform of the treaty. Luxembourg’s energy minister Claude Thurmes however said: “Even if the modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty leads to some progress, the treaty is still not compatible with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, as it continues to protect investments in fossil and nuclear energies”. The Energy Charter Treaty, in force since 1998, allows investors to sue governments over policies that jeopardise their investments and expected profits. It was designed in the aftermath of the collapse of the USSR – to ensure energy security by promoting open markets and investments in the former soviet states. 53 countries signed the international treaty.

The Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES, together with the European Space Agency ESA, have launched a project to improve communication security, RTL reported. The project Eagle-1 aims at establishing secure data transmission over longer distances across Europe via satellites. So far, encrypted communication without the risk of outside interference by hackers can only be assured for a distance of up to 150 kilometres. For this new technology, SES has purchased a new satellite that will be operated from Betzdorf. The technology called “quantum Key Distribution system” will only be available for states and their military. SES says: The goal is to operate “secure communication networks in Europe, in the EU, between the member states, on an independent and sovereign basis.” Eagle-1 is part of the European Commission’s Project IRIS that aims to develop satellite-based secure communication.  

The youth for climate activists will stage a protest this Wednesday to voice their discontent about the lack of political action against climate change. The protest is planned as a silent march. Protestors are asked to wear dark colours without carrying banners or placards. The protest starts at 6pm in front of the Chamber of Deputies.

 

 FRIDAY 18 NOVEMBER

Food prices increased by almost 10.5% in the last twelve months according to Statec. The Grand Duchy and Ireland had the lowest increases among EU Member states.  The average across the EU was 17.3% with Hungary seeing the steepest increases at 43%. In Luxembourg, vegetable oil and sunflower oil increased the most at 41%. However, olive oil and sugar prices are expected to rise soon due to the summer droughts while rising energy prices will impact the price of vegetables.

A new pilot project launched by the Ministry of Health and the Federation of Luxembourg Hospitals will now pay on-site duty doctors €96/hour for weekends, and off-site duty doctors will receive €40/hour during the week. The agreement was signed yesterday and took place in the presence of the directors of the main establishments in the country, according to a joint press release published by the Ministry of Health and the Federation. Weekend and duty doctors will now be compensated retroactively from 1 June 2022 with the rate varying whether they are on- or off-site. This cost will be added to the fees when medical procedures are done. 

Luxembourg’s wage indexation system risks causing a further spike in inflation and should be reformed, the OECD said in a report in which it also reiterated calls for changes to the pension system and action to tackle soaring housing prices. They also stated that Luxembourg had escaped the worst economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, due mainly to decisive government action early on, although Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has slowed the rebound along with labour market shortages.  Finance Minister Yuriko Backes responded to the report saying that automatic pay raises to compensate for rampant inflation are “part of the Luxembourgish DNA”. 

Peter Freitag best known as the ‘ultimate Covid-sceptic’ in Luxembourg has been fined 2500 euros after verbally attacking two doctors. In a post on social media last year, he had accused a psychiatrist, as well as, a retired gynaecologist as “Corona-Nazis” and calling them “Dr. Mengele disciples”. Additionally, he must pay each doctor 1,000 euros for defamation and cover court costs of 750 euros. All parties now have 40 days to appeal.

 

THURSDAY 17 NOVEMBER

The government has announced the next legislative elections will be Sunday 8 October 2023. 60 MPs will be elected to the Chamber of Deputies for a five-year term. They had been widely expected to take place in October 2023, but the exact date was not known until this week. The bloc of parties that can muster at least 31 seats and strike a coalition agreement will then be able to form a government. Voters will receive their convocation at least five days in advance by the local council where they live. Municipal elections will be held just a few months earlier, on 11 June 2023. More information about voting can be found at icanvote.lu.

Marc Hansen, Minister Delegate for Digitalisation has announced the launch of a brand new instant messaging service called “Luxchat”. The service developed and hosted in Luxembourg will be launched in the coming months. It initially will be available to civil servants with a version for the entire population to be released at a later date. During his speech on the second day of the “Luxembourg Internet Days 2022” , the minister also shared that the Luxembourg State’s electronic wallet will soon be launched. This “e-wallet” for official documents will initially include the identity card and the driving license. 

Luxembourg residents are using just 26 plastic bags per year compared to 110 per person in 2018 according to Eurostat data released yesterday. Luxembourg is the fifth lowest among EU member states behind Belgium with 10 plastic bags, Portugal 17, Poland 20 and Austria 25 per person. Meanwhile Lithuanians still use almost 300 bags per year. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, on the sidelines of COP27, credited the 2018 legislation that required charging for bags in shops. Residents even exceeded the government’s ambitions when the bill was introduced in 2016 that had a target of 40 bags per capita by 2025.

The crew of the Luxembourg offshore installation ship “Simon Stevin” saved 15 refugees stranded in  the Mediterranean Sea last week according to a press release yesterday from the Jan De Nul Group. The ship sailing from Turkey to Belgium was about 75km off the coast of Algeria, when the crew spotted the eight men, two women and five children who had been adrift in the Mediterranean for several days. All 15 were healthy, but weak and hypothermic. The crew gave them food, drink, warm clothes, a bed and blankets to recuperate. After a night on board, they were picked up by the Algerian coast guard.

 

WEDNESDAY 16 NOVEMBER

Defence Minister François Bausch said Luxembourg will deploy 25 military personnel to Romania as part of NATO’s “Enhanced Vigilance Activities (eVA)” on Europe’s eastern flank. The personnel will be tasked with reconnaissance activities within a mission of a multinational battalion including French, Dutch and Belgian soldiers. The military deployment comes ahead of the withdrawal of a similar contingent from Mali, where an EU training mission is due to end on December 1. Two Luxembourg military personnel will remain in the country as part of a UN battalion.  

Food prices are expected to remain high into 2023, according to the Institute of Statistics and economic studies but the growth will be less dramatic than the one consumers had to endure in 2022. In October 2022, the consumer price index reported that food prices increased 1.7%, the highest monthly spike since 2007. The head of the modelling and forecasting at STATEC told Delano that the overall price increase should reach over 4% in 2023, that’s almost half the 10% rise noticed during 2022. The increase is driven by inflation and supply-chain bottlenecks. These difficulties have been aggravated by extreme weather and the war in Ukraine which particularly upset the supply of cereals to world markets. Major supermarkets in the Grand Duchy claim they had to adapt their marketing strategies by lowering their margin to keep their prices competitive and boost consumers’ purchasing power.

The Ministry of Transport yesterday sought to reassure motorists who have reported being flashed by speed cameras on the A7 that the system is not yet in testing mode and that they should not fear fine slips in their mailboxes for now. However, authorities warned that fines will be issued as of spring 2023 when the cameras become fully operational.

Fuel prices in France look set to increase as of today with the French government and TotalEnergies cutting down subsidies on petrol and diesel. This will also impact prices at the pump in Luxembourg, where they’re liable to increase in the coming days although they remain more attractive than in France. The end of government fuel rebates in France prompted a rush to gas stations causing fuel shortages. In the Moselle and the Meurthe-et-Moselle regions, on the border with Luxembourg, long lines were reported around Thionville and Metz, causing frustration and a few fisticuffs.

 

TUESDAY 15 NOVEMBER

Inspectors for the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) have stepped up their assessment of Luxembourg’s compliance with international recommendations to fight money laundering. The pre-arranged inspections which kicked off last week, are carried out by a team of law enforcement, legal and financial experts from the Paris-based watchdog. They target banks, real estate investors, ministries, and even jewellery dealers. And although authorities in Luxembourg say they are determined to comply with international financial standards, opposition MP Laurent Mozart from the CSV party told the Luxemburger Wort that the Grand Duchy has been slow in prosecuting money-laundering cases. Last year, an investigation by a consortium of independent journalists dubbed OpenLux found evidence that Russian mafia bosses and Italian organised crime gangs were among those hiding money in the Grand Duchy, allegations that the government dismissed as unsubstantiated. The Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) was established by the G-7 Summit held in Paris in 1989.  It examines money laundering techniques and trends, and sets out measures that need to be taken to combat money laundering.

The Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Jean Asselborn has accused Iran of being a “military dictatorship saying that the only language it understands is that of sanctions. Asselborn made his comments in Brussels where EU Foreign ministers convened on Monday to approve further sanctions against 31 Iranian firms and individuals in response to the widespread crackdown on protesters after the death of a young woman in police custody. The sanctioned individuals include members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.More than 15,000 protesters have been arrested across Iran and several hundred people were killed in nearly two months of protests, according to HRANA, Iran’s press association addressing issues related to human rights.

A new drink-driving campaign is being launched by the government in partnership with non-profit organisation Road Safety after studies showed alcohol related road accidents are the second leading cause of fatalities in the Grand Duchy, after speeding. Over the past weekend alone, 20 driving licences were revoked for excessive drinking. More than 1,500 drivers have already seen their licences revoked for the same reason this year and out of 24 people who died in accidents, eight had been drinking. The new campaign is fronted by labels showing mock wine and beer labels encouraging people to take a bus, taxi or a lift after drinking.

 Christmas lights will be shining bright in Luxembourg city this year albeit with reduced hours to save energy says the city council whose elected officials met yesterday to unveil the traditional “Winterlights” program. Festivities will kick off this Friday and will last till the first week of January next year. The energy efficient LED Christmas lighting will be scaled back from 19 to 6 hours a day except for Christmas eve and Christmas day, the 26th and 31st of December where lights will be turned off at 1 a.m. The Christmas markets will set the tone for over a month and will be spread over four sites: the Lëtzebuerger Chrëschtmaart at the place d’Armes, the Wantermaart at the place de la Constitution, the Niklosmaart at place de Paris, and theWanterpark at the Kinnekswiss. Midway rides and children’s activities as well as the Ferris wheel will be there again this year. To find out more about the most magical places for Christmas in the city, visit www.winterlights.lu.

 

MONDAY 14 NOVEMBER

The Ministry for Equality between men and women is set to establish two new institutions: the Equality Observatory and the High Council for Gender Equality. On Friday, the government council passed the bill of Minister Taina Bofferding that sets the legal basis for these structures. In addition to these two new structures, the bill introduces a new committee whose task is a revision of gender-equality-related statistics in Luxembourg. Gender equality could in the future be analyzed, namely in statistics on violence, employment, work-life balance, decision-making, education, income and health.

30 3D scanners from Luxembourg have been sent to Ukraine to document war crimes. Luxembourg’s defence ministry bought the scanners of the Luxembourgish company Artec3D and sent them to Ukraine. The scanners shall collect evidence of war crimes. Ukraine’s judiciary told the newspaper Tageblatt they’d need this equipment to pursue their investigations.

The rating agency DBRS Morningstar in its latest report confirmed Luxembourg’s Triple-A credit rating. The report concludes that Luxembourg’s public finances remained strong and stable, although the GDP dropped by 0.5% in the second trimester of this year and inflation stayed at 8.8% last month. DBRS Morningstar said the negative impact of inflation on consumers and businesses is likely to be strongest next year.

 

FRIDAY 11 NOVEMBER

68,000 more voters are expected to be eligible for the municipal elections next year. This figure was provided by the Minister of Family Affairs, Corinne Cahen, in response to a parliamentary question submitted by the LSAP and is nearly twice as high as in previous elections. The law stating that voters must be a resident for more than 5 years in order to participate in local elections was abolished earlier this year. 

Russian-owned East-West United Bank will let approximately half of its staff go as the war in Ukraine continues to spoil the business of the Luxembourg-based lender, which has close ties to the country’s political elite. A redundancy plan negotiated with trade unions will affect “32 to 44 of the 80 employees”, the bank said, as it “faces unprecedented challenges due to the geopolitical context surrounding the war in Ukraine.”

Luxembourg has failed to pay out a single subsidy for solar panels for requests submitted in 2022, despite receiving more than 600 applications. More than a quarter of almost 3,000 applications received by the ministry of Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development since January 2017 have not yet been dealt with at all, Minister Joelle Welfring said in response to a parliamentary question, without giving detailed explanations as to why. The failure to approve any payments this year comes despite government plans to encourage use of solar panels, amid criticism from climate activists that it is showing no evidence of being able to meet its commitments to reduce carbon emissions in coming years.    

A photograph by Luxembourg artist Edward Steichen sold for almost $11.84 million at an auction at Christie’s in New York earlier this week. The 1904 photo “The Flatiron” was part of deceased Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s collection which saw a total of 60 works sell for almost $1.5 billion dollars. Taken in 1904 and printed in 1905, Steichen’s photograph was estimated to sell for between almost $2-3 million dollars. The photograph, a platinum print over which a layer of gum-bichromate has been added, depicts the landmark New York building at twilight. Its final selling price established it as the second most-expensive photograph ever sold. Man Ray’s Violon d’Ingres, sold at Christie’s in May 2022 for $12.4m, holds the record.

 

THURSDAY 10 NOVEMBER

Prime Minister Xavier Bettel responded to homophobic remarks made by Khalid Salman, an ambassador for the impending football World Cup tournament in Qatar, who defined homosexuality as the result of “damage in the mind”. Salman made the provocative remarks in a documentary by German public broadcaster ZDF on Tuesday. Bettel, who is publicly gay and married to his husband since 2015, said he hoped that Qatar World Cup 2022 did not support Salman’s statement, adding football should unite people and not divide them. Several cities throughout Europe – including Luxembourg City – have decided not to show World Cup matches on big screens this year, amidst concerns of human rights violations in the Gulf state, as well as energy consumption.

Luxembourg will receive 1.8 million euros in EU support to help pay for the repair of damages caused by the July 2021 floods. The assistance will be provided by the EU Solidarity Fund, part of the EU budget created in 2002 to help Member States respond to major natural disasters. Finance Minister Yuriko Backes called the July 2021 floods ‘historic’, adding that the financial contribution through the EU budget was a much-appreciated gesture of European solidarity. Since its formation, funds have been granted to 24 European countries following 80 natural disasters, including fires, floods, and storms.

A public debate took place yesterday in the Chamber of Deputies after more than 4,800 people signed a petition calling for an extension of parental leave from six to nine months. A UNICEF report from June 2021 placed Luxembourg at the top of 41 countries regarding the provision of childcare and parental leave, petitioners said, but added that Luxembourg has a short full-time parental leave average forcing some mothers to take unpaid leave. Ministers said they understood the demands but expressed doubts about extending parental leave to full-time, asking how it would be financed. At the end of the session, it was clarified that the public petition will not have any direct consequences and that all parties should wait for the study on the reformed parental leave, to  be carried out by the Luxembourg institute of socio-economic research ) next year.

Greenpeace Luxembourg announced yesterday that several banks in the Grand Duchy recently failed its announced advice check test. Greenpeace claimed that many “green” financial products do not deliver on their promises and so carried out “mystery shopping” exercises at six banks based in Luxembourg. Test clients were recommended climate-friendly investment products which were incompatible with the Paris Climate Agreement, causing Greenpeace to demand that Luxembourg banks immediately start offering investment products that redirect capital into a climate-friendly economy. 

 

WEDNESDAY 9 NOVEMBER

Luxembourg consumed 36% less gas in October compared to that month’s average of the previous five years according to Energy Minister Claude Turmes, and is still beating its voluntary gas-saving targets of 15% amid Russia’s war on Ukraine. Luxembourg benefited from a comparatively milder October, Turmes said yesterday as he pushed for further gas-saving efforts ahead of the colder months which could lead to an energy crunch and compulsory measures.

Car manufacturer Fiat won a ruling from the European Court of Justice on Tuesday, overturning a decision by Brussels to repay €30 million in tax breaks to Luxembourg. The decision is a further setback for the European Commission, which considered it as illegal state aid and had already lost to Apple, Amazon, and Starbucks in other tax disputes in Ireland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. In a written statement, the European Commissioner for Competition said they will carefully examine the ruling and its implications and  continue to use all tools at its disposal to ensure that fair competition rules in the single market are not distorted by granting illegal tax breaks to multinationals.

A delegation from Luxembourg visited the United States yesterday to identify and understand the key factors of Boston, Massachusetts’s digital health ecosystem in terms of data governance and financing systems. In addition, the trip aimed to identify potential collaborations between Luxembourg and the United States in these areas. Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Paulette Lenert and Minister of the Economy Franz Fayot visited the major hospital system, Mass General Brigham. 

Place de la Constitution, the home to Luxembourg’s Monument of Remembrance – the golden lady statue – will be redeveloped but how remains to be decided. The project foresees the complete removal of the car park and the surrounding square is expected to become a meeting place with kiosks, benches and a new avenue of trees. The area  will also have a lift to the Petrusse valley but the view over the valley and the other side of the Plateau Bourbon will remain unobstructed. In response to a parliamentary question, the Minister responsible for Public Works François Bausch stated that the new square should be a balanced space between the impressive and the discreet.  

 

TUESDAY 8 NOVEMBER

STATEC has announced that three wage indexations should take place in 2023. The first is planned for the first quarter of next year, followed by a second indexation in April, which accounts for the one postponed in July this year. The third wage indexation should take place by the end of next year. Statec also delivered its monthly statistics on inflation which show stable figures at 6.9% in October 2022, similar to  the previous month. The prices of petroleum products have increased by 8.8% in one month and by 35.2% in one year while food products have increased by 1.7% in one month, the highest increase since October 2007. Fresh vegetables for instance have increased by (+5%), bread and cereals by (+2.7%) and dairy products by (+1.9%).

The government has made clear it will not intervene to prevent the extradition of Luxembourg national Frank Schneider to the United States to face charges of Fraud. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and authorized sources from the country’s judiciary said there were no legal grounds to halt the extradition. Mr.Schneider, a former agent for the State’s Intelligence service was arrested in France in 2021 after he was accused of fraud and money laundering in connection to the ‘OneCoin’ case, a Cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme where he is alleged to have helped cheat millions of people the equivalent of 4 billion euros. His defense team seems to have exhausted the last legal recourse to stop his extradition. He is currently under house arrest in his French residence near the border with Luxembourg.

Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and Environment Minister Joëlle Welfring have attended the formal opening plenary of the 27th edition of the Climate Change Conference in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. Environment Minister Welfring will participate in the COP27 negotiations during a high-level segment scheduled to take place from Tuesday 15 to Friday 18 November 2022. She will be accompanied by a delegation made up of negotiators and experts in climate policy from Luxembourg’s Ministry of the Environment, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Administration of Technical Agricultural Services. Luxembourg has long emphasised the need for solidarity with developing countries, particularly those most affected by climate change.

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg have announced the engagement of their daughter Princess Alexandra to Nicolas Bagory. Princess Alexandra, 31, is the fourth child and only daughter of their Royal highness the Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. According to the Grand Ducal Court, Nicolas Bagory, 34, grew up in Brittany, France. After studying political science and classics, he now works in the creation of social and cultural projects. Wedding celebrations are  scheduled for next spring. 

 

MONDAY 7 NOVEMBER

Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of the plane crash in Niederanven. The Minister for Mobility and Public Works together with Luxair hosted a memorial service for relatives and friends of the victims at the crash site. 20 people died as the Luxair flight from Berlin to Findel Airport crashed into the field near Niederanven, the 6th November 2002. The accident happened due to human error as well as technical issues with the plane’s internal system. the pilot, Luxair’s head of technical services and two mechanics received suspended prison sentences.

The left party Dei Lenk during a press conference urged housing minister Henri Kox to resign after Kox presented the new draft bill on leases in October. The bill aims The bill aims to make rental properties more affordable. But Dei Lenk critisices coefficient system, which, they say, adjusts rents based on the market price situation, instead of the invested capital. This would lead to numerous increases in rents, déi Lénk’s spokesperson Gary Diderich said.

The implementation of the Tripartite’s solidarity package measures proceeds only slowly, Tageblatt reported. So far, only the bill to reduce the value-added tax has passed parliament. The government council has blocked the finance ministry’s draft bill on subsidies for companies which are particularly concerned by the increased energy cost. The council criticizes that companies can only apply for subsidies higher than 100 euros. This minimum according to the government, was introduced “to reduce the administrative burden”. The bill will again be discussed by the Tripartite commission tomorrow. The legislation for the limitation of the gas prices as well is not yet in place. Since October however, the government has been bearing the costs without having set the legislative framework.

 

FRIDAY 4 NOVEMBER

Echternach municipal councillor Christophe Origer announced yesterday that he had switched political parties from the CSV to the Greens.  In a statement, Origer explained that in his 15 years of being active in the CSV, he has undergone a private and political evolution and that the Greens now aligned closest to his personal and political beliefs. However, with only seven months before national elections, there is no longer a clear majority in the Echternach municipal council. The Greens said they will talk with all parties in the council about further cooperation and will act in the interest of the city of Echternach and its citizens.

Police arrested five suspected drug dealers, as part of a control to fight against drug-related crime. The five sellers worked in the Gare. The police seized several grams of marijuana and cocaine, as well as cash. A medical scan revealed 16 foreign bodies, suspected to be drugs. The five alleged drug dealers were arrested on the orders of the prosecution and were to be presented to the investigating judge on Thursday.

Meanwhile, police also warned of petty theft in the city after a passer-by was approached by an individual who began to touch him and dance around him near the exit of the elevator from the footbridge that connects the train station to Bonnevoie. Not long after, the passerby realised his mobile phone was gone.The police called for vigilance with regard to these so-called “ruse” thefts. They also recommend never letting yourself be touched or hugged by strangers, to keep your bag closed, and to always keep an eye on your jacket.

For the week of October 24 to 30, the number of people who tested positive for Covid-19 decreased 35% from 1,560 cases compared to 2,384 the previous week. The average age of people diagnosed with COVID-19 was 46.9 years. There were two new deaths during the reported week.

 

THURSDAY 3 NOVEMBER

Figures released by MeteoLux yesterday show that October was the hottest since records began in 1947, with temperatures at 2.9 degrees above the average of the past thirty years. An average temperature of 12.8 degrees Celsius was recorded last month, with October 21st the warmest day at 21.8 degrees. MeteoLux said that mild temperatures at the end of October are not unusual but warned that the trend has accelerated in the last 20 years.

Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week as part of his visit to the country. The office of the Canadian Prime Minister reported that the two reviewed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its global impacts on food and energy security and agreed, as NATO members, to maintain unity and increase support to those impacted. Both leaders emphasised the strength of Canada and Luxembourg’s relationship and discussed ways to develop bilateral cooperation on shared values. The increasing security impacts of climate change, promoting the diversity of Francophone cultures and ways to increase cooperation to advance human rights and defend democracy were also examined.

The Transport Ministry announced this week that the new cycling and pedestrian path connecting Esch-sur-Alzette and Belval will cost a third more than initially planned, with the cost expected to rise to €47.5 million. Luxemburger Wort reported the reason for the increase is due to additional work required on the path’s foundations and a widespread price rise in building materials. The ministry added that the path is due to open in December.

Caritas Luxembourg and the Red Cross yesterday launched an appeal for warm clothing ahead of winter. Items that are clean and in good condition such as warm jackets, jumpers, trainers, and other shoes are urgently needed, especially for men in small and medium sizes. Information about sought-after items and drop-off locations is available on the websites of Caritas Luxembourg and the Luxembourg Red Cross.

 

WEDNESDAY 2 NOVEMBER

Recent figures from the finance ministry reveal that Luxembourg has frozen another €1 billion of Russian assets. To date, the Grand Duchy has seized over €5.5 billion of assets belonging to sanctioned individuals, government officials, oligarchs, and companies. Luxembourg is one of just six countries in the EU that has blocked cash worth more than €17 billion of Russian assets in response to sanctions. EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said last week that EU states have also frozen €300 billion of Russian foreign exchange reserves held in the bloc. Reynders added that the seized assets should be kept as a guarantee until Russia voluntarily participates in the reconstruction of Ukraine.

The Ministry of the Economy and Ministry of Energy and Spatial Planning this week announced new financial aid to encourage businesses to install photovoltaic solar panels. The new measure ,worth €30 million, promotes the construction and operation of electricity production plants by businesses from solar energy in Luxembourg, focusing on the self-consumption of electricity as well as production. Minister for Energy, Claude Turmes declared solar energy is an energy of the future, adding that it plays a central role in the energy transition and will help Luxembourg become more independent of fossil fuels. Minister for Economy, Franz Fayot said the measure also makes it possible to achieve Luxembourg’s climate objectives by 2030. Companies wanting to gain from this investment aid, can submit project tenders until 28 February 2023. More information can be found at www.Guichet.lu and applications should be submitted via the www.MyGuichet.lu platform.

Luxembourg’s prison administration announced yesterday that a prisoner was found dead in his prison cell on Monday. The announcement stated that the authorities had been informed of the incident and an autopsy would be performed. Members of the prisoner’s family and first contact people would also be informed of the incident, the announcement confirmed. The Ombudsman, the director of the prison administration, the directorate of Penitentiary Centre of Luxembourg, the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps and the police had all attended the scene.

 

MONDAY 31 OCTOBER

Prime Minister Xavier Bettel had a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday as part of his visit to Italy. Pope Francis offered Bettel a bronze sculpture and papal documents, while the PM presented the Pope an assortment of Luxembourgish pastries, according to the Vatican News. Mr. Bettel then met with the Cardinal Secretary of State, accompanied by the Secretary for Relations with States. The cordial talks underscored the good bilateral relations between the Holy See and Luxembourg and discussions covered topics of common interest, with a special focus on relations between the Church and the State. Reference was also made to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the commitment to peace. Other issues, including the migration crisis and the need to aid migrants and refugees, were also discussed in the meeting.

Recent data from Eurostat for 2021 reveals that 29.4% of Luxembourg’s children and young people under the age of 18 face poverty or social exclusion. This figure is higher than the EU average at 24.4%. However, Eurostat’s definition of poverty is measured in Purchasing Power Standards, or PPS, which considers price-level differences between countries. In 2020, Luxembourg’s PPS was 28,675 – the highest in the EU, where the average was 17,871, and the lowest PPS was in Romania at 7,724. Therefore, by EU standards, a child in Luxembourg can thus live in a house with a relatively high wage and still be categorised as living in relative poverty.

The 27th edition of the Walfer Bicherdeeg (Book days) – Luxembourg’s largest book fair  – will return to Walferdange on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November 2022. Focused on the theme “From new shoots to deep roots”, the fair will let visitors discover the world of books and nature with trees at the heart of this year’s edition. Publishers and authors will present their latest publications alongside a second-hand book market, readings, performances, exhibitions and music. Two photo exhibitions will present trees in their many facets while several readings will be organised in collaboration with the Centre National de Littérature as well as a new literary café. The Walferbicherdeeg will run from 10:00 to 19:00 on Saturday 19 November and from 10:00 to 18:00 on Sunday 20 November 2022.

 

FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER

Luxembourg has enough petrol to last 45 days in the event of a sudden supply shortage, revealed energy minister Claude Turmes in response to a parliamentary question yesterday. He stated that current law obliges all importers to keep “at least eight days of security stocks on national territory”. In addition, there are 37 days of regional security stocks. Luxembourg’s are located in Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. There is a European directive prohibiting these countries to take another member states supply. Termes also reassured parliament that even though the war in Ukraine is creating supply difficulties for various products, and prices have risen sharply, there is no acute shortage of petroleum products.

A Declaration of Intent concerning the establishment of the Belgian-Luxembourg Reconnaissance Battalion has been signed by the Minister of Defense of Luxembourg, Francois Bausch, and the Minister of Defense of Belgium. The heart of the future battalion will be located in Arlon by 2030, with a branch located in Diekirch and a second in Marche-en-Famenne in Belgium. The battalion, with more than 700 people, is expected to be equipped with various specialized reconnaissance vehicles and both armies would see efficiency and effectiveness improved through the cooperation between the two countries. Meanwhile at the long-planned NATO Nuclear Planning Group in Brussels yesterday, Bausch reaffirmed Luxembourg’s support for Ukraine and the importance of recalibrating the deterrence and defense posture in the face of Russia’s aggressiveness.

Luxembourg’s real estate market is showing positive growth and thus rising real estate prices despite high inflation and rising interest rates, according to an atHome report released yesterday. In the third quarter of 2022, the average price increase was 2.4 percent. However, the increase is not even across segments with older properties increasing at a higher rate than new build properties which are stabilizing. The price evolution of new builds has varied significantly as those in the country’s north and east jumped by 15.8% and 4.4% respectively while those in Luxembourg’s south dropped by 2.7%. 

Grand Duke Henri welcomed new ambassadors for Azerbaijan, Cape Verde, Pakistan, Slovakia, and Spain at the Grand Ducal Palace earlier this week. The Spanish and Cape Verde ambassadors are based in Luxembourg while the other three are based in Brussels.

 

THURSDAY 13 OCTOBER

Finance minister Yuriko Backes yesterday presented the 2023 draft budget which predicts €27.3bn of state spending compared to revenue of €24.5bn, leaving a deficit of €2.8bn. The minister described this as a crisis budget that errs on the side of caution. 47% of central government expenditure will be committed to social benefits, subsidies, grants, and transfers to social security. Affordable housing was also a budget priority with housing ministry spending to increase to €282m while the housing development fund will rise to €192m. Public investment will increase to €3.8bn while environmental and climate investments have been set at €1.2bn for 2023. A further goal of the budget is supporting Luxembourg’s energy transition with an exceptional VAT rate of 3% for solar panels from 2023.

Following the presentation of the budget yesterday, Luxembourg’s political parties were quick to voice their opinions. The Pirate Party questioned the increase in state revenue and worried that state expenditure will increase significantly causing the deficit to shoot through the roof. The Alternative Democratic Reform Party suggested that Luxembourg could invest less in international development aid, while the Left Party criticised the fact that the government does not tackle structural injustices. The Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party were disappointed that there was no major tax reform and announced they will continue to pursue a major tax reform and will turn it into a campaign issue next year. The Green Party also wanted further tax reforms but said they would temporarily be content with the few relief measures that have been announced. The Christian Social People’s Party declared it has prepared its own project for a major tax reform and criticised the government’s plans for a budget with a €2.8 billion deficit. However, the CSV did welcome the increase of tax credits for single parents and workers receiving minimum wage.

The Luxembourg branch of Greenpeace gave its reaction yesterday to this week’s State of the Nation address by Prime Minister Xavier Bettel. The non-governmental environmental organisation considers the presented measures “insufficient” to combat climate change and social injustice, stating “increasingly recurrent meteorological events require greater action, which is not limited to observation. The Director of Greenpeace Luxembourg added that “Many opportunities have been missed” and claimed that current and planned spending on climate and biodiversity protection often depends on money from unsustainable sources. Greenpeace concluded that the government was headed “in the right direction” but that its actions remained insufficient “given the scale of the emergency in which we find ourselves”.

 

WEDNESDAY 12 OCTOBER

In his annual state of the nation speech in parliament yesterday, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel spoke about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Luxembourg’s new defence policy and coping with the cost-of-living crisis.Luxembourg plans to double its defence spending by 2028, introduce a joint battalion with Belgium, and a new €1 billion NATO innovation fund will be based in the Grand Duchy. Regarding the cost-of-living crisis, partly due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Bettel announced a raise in the minimum wage and unemployment benefits by more than 3% from January, and cost of living allowances will also be extended by a year. Concerning the housing crisis, Bettel confirmed new draft laws presented last week on property taxation.

The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has declared that Luxembourg shows “all the characteristics of a tax haven” and its plans for discarding that image are unclear. The committee, which regularly examines its member’s compliance with an agreement to uphold rights in several areas including work, education, and housing, also criticised major gaps in the country’s plan for businesses to act against human rights violations. The committee applauded Luxembourg’s attempts to reduce the workforce gender gap but voiced worries over the country’s “very low tax rates and shell companies used to hide funds”.

The Central Bank of Luxembourg announced yesterday that mortgage loans given out in August fell compared with the previous month. Banks lent 286 million euros of variable interest mortgages in August, down from 418 million in July while creditors granted 218 million euros in fixed interest rate mortgage loans, a drop from 340 million. A report last week by statistics agency STATEC revealed that property sales have dropped this year with transactions of new apartments falling by over 17%, existing apartments almost 6% and houses by nearly 19% in the second quarter of this year .

The Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development and the Ministry of Energy and Spatial Planning announced this week that Luxembourg will join Austria to appeal against the EU “taxonomy” delegated act. The act, which includes nuclear energy and natural gas in the “green taxonomy”, was published in the Official Journal of the European Union in July. Austria lodged an appeal against the “taxonomy” regulation on 7 October and Luxembourg will now submit a request for intervention before the European courts containing its argument on the facts against the “taxonomy” delegated regulation.

 

TUESDAY 11 OCTOBER 

The Federation of Luxembourg Hospitals on Monday issued a statement in defense of the Grand Duchy’s health system saying “it rests on sound foundations”. The statement follows the resignation of seven cardiologists from the Center Hospitalier du Nord (CHdN) in Ettelbruck. The Federation said it regretted the group’s resignation and was working to improve health services in public hospitals. The resigning cardiologists denounced heavy workload and inadequate salaries, prompting the Association of Physicians and Dentists to rally in support and denounce in turn what it views as the symbol “of a failed health policy for decades against the interests of patients and against doctors”. The Federation of Luxembourg Hospitals admitted the general lack of human resources which it blames on structural deficiencies in the sector across Europe.

The Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party and Labor Union on Monday have issued a joint press release advocating a package of reform for “greater fiscal justice”. OGBL president Nora Back urged the government to consider the 21 proposals which include a substantial reduction of income taxes and the introduction of a unique tax scale. The joint press release comes on the eve of the national address of Prime Minister Xavier Bettel on the State of the Nation. Government officials have recently stressed that the proposed tax reform would cost an estimated €1 billion and warned that state finances need to be monitored before such a substantial change can be implemented.

The Ministry of Health is urging all unvaccinated residents as young as 2 months old to update their immunization following a recent uptick in polio cases  in countries like Great Britain, Israel and the United States where a growing cluster of cases was diagnosed in recent months. Polio is a very contagious disease which primarily harms young children. It had not been seen in Europe since the eighties, following one of the most successful worldwide vaccination campaigns in history. The virus attacks the nervous system and can paralyze muscles, usually causing death or lifelong paralysis. It is mainly transmitted by the faecal-oral route. The eSanté Agency in Luxembourg has developed an electronic vaccination record with the Health Department. It makes it possible to securely centralize vaccination data, to receive notifications for reminders and to benefit from personalized vaccination advice in accordance with the recommendations of the Higher Council for Infectious Diseases.

A report backed by the European Commission gave a positive assessment of the efforts made by the grand duchy in support of the mental health of young people following the extended lockdowns of theCoronavirus pandemic. The report, released yesterday on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, praised Luxembourg’s attempts to implement reforms in healthcare, education, information, youth work, leisure and sport. Health authorities in Luxembourg distributed posters, booklets and course materials to education professionals and provided psychological support in schools. The topic of mental health has come to the forefront in Luxembourg triggering a  petition requesting public health insurer CNS to refund psychotherapy sessions. Negotiations between the national health fund and psychotherapy eventually broke down but the CNS said it was looking to reach a deal with psychotherapists next year.

 

MONDAY 10  OCTOBER

Over 20 000 people flocked to Luxembourg’s museum Saturday night to attend the  21st edition of the Long Night of Museums, the much prized cultural event taking place every year in the Grand Duchy and in major European capitals where visitors can explore the national collections of art and culture, free of charge. This year’s programme attracted 33% more visitors than in 2021 according to Laura Zaccaria, the coordinator at the International Council of Museums. The night included guided tours, Art performances, workshops, live Djs, and culinary surprises in the seven participating museums in the city of Luxembourg. If you missed this year’s night out at the museums, the next will take place on Saturday October 14, 2023.

Various species of birds have begun their journey down south as part of the seasonal migration according to Luxembourg’s daily Tageblatt. Large swarms of starlings can currently be observed heading south, says Gerardo Unger Lafourcade from the Society for Nature Conservation and Ornithology in Rhineland-Palatinate in Mainz. Thousands of pigeons and chaffinches can also be observed on a good day as they migrate towards their winter quarters. Mister Lafourcade also noted that the numbers of both breeding birds and migratory birds are in worrying decline, adding that where there used to be thousands of lapwings, there are now only dozens. The Society for Nature Conservation and Ornithology recommends turning off lights at night to give birds a safe passage and provide them with appropriate food in the garden, both now for the migration and for the coming winter.

Gas prices at the pump have risen 8 cents over the past week-end to hit to €1.970 per litre, barely a week after they rose by 4.7cents in many parts of the Grand Duchy. Home heating oil reached €1.387 per litre, up by nearly 8 cents for 10 PPM and 7.9 cents for 50 PPM.  Tightsupply and increased demand as more drivers fuel up are likely reasons for the increase. Retail prices for gasoline remained generally unchanged with the unleaded 95 displayed at 1.67 per litre  and the unleaded 98 at 1.94. 

A 65-year old driver crashed into a tree on Sunday morning around 9am on the CR152 between Mondorf-les-Bains and Burmerange  The services were too late to save the driver, who was declared dead at the scene. Police are investigating the cause of the accident.

 

FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER

Gas consumption in September was 26% lower compared to the five-year average of that month, according to government data released yesterday, as colder weather made itself felt. In August, gas consumption was 36% lower than that month’s average going back to 2017.

The covid isolation period for infected people could be cut to four days and contact tracing system abolished if parliament passes new proposals despite infections almost doubling over the past week. Under the proposal, people who test positive would be obliged to isolate for four days but could end their isolation early if they have two negative tests within 24 hours of each other. Anyone showing symptoms after the fourth day can request a sick note from their doctor. There were more than 2,300 new infections in the week beginning 26 September, according to the latest figures released by the Health Ministry yesterday, in addition to 876 re-infections. This is almost twice as many as the 1,300 new infections the previous week.

Housing prices increased by 11.5% compared to the second quarter of 2021, according to STATEC’s latest report. The prices of existing houses even increased by 15.5%. This increase is a slight uptick compared to the previous quarter but remains well below the rates observed in the two previous years. Over the entire 2021, house prices increased by 13.9% compared to the previous year. In 2020, the average annual increase was 14.5% and in 2019 it was 10.1%.

50 potential bidders gathered at Hotel Royal earlier this week to make an offer for the Îlot Gastronomique building which is an UNESCO World Heritage site located at the fish market in the old town of Luxembourg City. No offer was made which is believed to be due to the owner’s right to refuse any bid and a rumour that anything below €10 million would be accepted. The building can house up to nine cafés and restaurants and also has three studios. The area for sale combines over 2,000 square metres and extends over 362 square metres, which, based on the average price in the old town of the capital, puts the value of the land at €6.2 million.

 

THURSDAY 6 OCTOBER

The health ministry announced yesterday that Luxembourg residents can get their next Covid-19 booster together with a seasonal flu jab. Health Minister Paulette Lenert strongly recommended people get vaccinated against the flu this winter because fewer people will have acquired natural immunity against the flu during the Covid-19 pandemic, and are more likely to contract it. General practitioners will administer the flu vaccine free of charge to anyone aged 65 and over, health sector workers, pregnant women, and those suffering from chronic illness.

STATEC – Luxembourg’s official statistics agency – announced yesterday that the annual inflation rate climbed to 6.9% in September. Petrol and diesel prices rose by 2.3% compared to August, following the end of the government fuel subsidy. Food saw a 0.7% increase, with some items, such as vegetables jumping by 12.3%, and eggs at 4.5% higher. However, package holidays were 9.4% cheaper in September and plane tickets fell by almost a third, due to the end of the summer holiday season.

The Alternative Democratic Reform Party this week called for economic sanctions against Russia to be lifted on the grounds that they were harming Luxembourg’s economy. The conservative right-wing party believes that the recent package of sanctions agreed by the EU would not bring an end to the war in Ukraine but would have a negative effect and pose a risk of a long recession. The ADR also demanded a continuation of the indexation scheme and making minimum wages and widow’s pensions tax-free. The Party president declared that a practical energy policy relying solely on renewable sources would not work, but would need fossil and nuclear energy in addition.

A report released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development thiseek claims Luxembourg handled the covid pandemic well but must learn plenty of lessons to react better to a similar crisis in the future. The OECD country report praised the Luxembourg government for its rapid creation of a covid task force and its transparency in the legislative process of creating new covid laws. The organisation said the introduction of partial unemployment schemes and assistance for businesses was also a positive that helped Luxembourg’s economy survive but noted that independent workers did not receive support. It was also noted that while the healthcare system managed well, the crisis highlighted weaknesses in Luxembourg’s health sector, such as a reliance on cross-border workers in hospitals.

 

WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER

Police have arrested a 25-year-old man in the Gare district of Luxembourg City for beating his 20-year-old wife to death with a hammer. The public prosecutor’s office stated that the alleged perpetrator was brought before magistrates yesterday afternoon. Child services took the couple’s five-month-old baby into protective custody. The judicial police have opened an investigation and an autopsy has been ordered.

Responding to a parliamentary question from the Democratic Party, Minister of Justice Sam Tanson and Minister of Internal Security Henri Kox revealed that there has been an average of 510 missing persons reports per year in Luxembourg over the past decade. However, the average was surpassed in 2021 with 724 persons reported missing, 490 of which were minors. The ministers could not indicate how many of the missing persons were found, as that number is not tracked statistically and reported that there is no obvious pattern regarding the reasons for disappearances.

A report published yesterday by the accident insurance association – AAA – revealed that 10 people died in the workplace in Luxembourg in 2021. Despite there being more workers in 2021 than in 2020, the number of deaths in the workplace fell from 19 to 10. The Association d’assurance accident said that over a quarter of the 16,540 workplace incidents reported for 2021 took place on construction sites, while nearly the same amount was recorded in public spaces and public transport. The association, which operates under the social security ministry, stated it would establish new goals for its national workplace safety strategy, as the existing Vision Zero strategy was ending.

The Minister for Home Affairs, Taina Bofferding, yesterday emphasised that smoke detectors will be compulsory in every home in Luxembourg from 1 January 2023. Minister Bofferding urged tenants and property owners to comply with the law, adding that a smoke detector is a means of prevention within everyone’s reach making it possible to alert occupants of the start of a fire so that they can quickly get to safety. On 10 October – National Fire Prevention Day –  the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps will be present in ten locations across the country to inform the population about the need to install smoke detectors

 

TUESDAY 4 OCTOBER

On Monday Luxembourg’s Minister for Tourism, Lex Delles, presented the results of the 2022 tourist season. Following a year of recovery, the tourism sector is once again recording strong growth, with 2022 tourism figures largely exceeding those for 2021 and almost reaching pre-crisis levels. Lëtzebuerg, dat ass Vakanz campaign  and the “Vakanz genéissen” were two new programs that saw the number of overnight stays this year more than double compared to 2021. Luxembourg’s most-visited attraction was Parc Merveilleux in Bettembourg, which drew 262,000 people through July, followed by Château de Vianden and the Mullerthal Trail, the ministry said.

The widely publicised plagiarism dispute between a Luxembourg artist and a US-based photographer had its first day in court in the Grand Duchy on Monday. Jingna Zhang, a Singaporean photographer, is accusing Luxembourg artist Jeff Dieschburg of copying her work without giving her credit. The basis of the lawsuit is a painting by Dieschburg, seemingly closely based on photographs by Zhang and infringes on Zhang’s legal copyright protection for her creative work, according to her attorney. However, pleadings in the case have been delayed because Dieschburg’s lawyer sought to move the case to a different court, which generally takes longer to reach conclusions than the Luxembourg district court, which is currently hearing the case. A decision is scheduled for 14 October, the presiding judge said.

The Ministry of Health and the Department of Health have announced their awareness program against breast cancer warning about the importance of getting screened. In Luxembourg, the disease is the most common female cancer and the main cause of death among women aged 50 to 70. On average in Luxembourg, out of 1,000 mammograms performed as part of the program, 950 show normal results and 50 abnormal results. Of these last 50, additional examinations are carried out, 6 will be diagnosed as having developed this disease. Throughout the month of October, activities will be carried out across the country as part of Pink October. The Minister of Health will relay prevention messages, awareness days will be held in all hospitals, and “breast-shaped chocolates will be distributed at various events” and our own ARA City Radio will be emceeing Think Pink and Race for the Cure on 23 October in Echternach.

 

MONDAY 3 OCTOBER

From January on, French cross border workers will have the right to telework 34 days per year, Luxembourg’s and France’s ministers of finance Yuricko Backes and Bruno Le Maire agreed on Friday. Until now, French cross border workers have to pay taxes in both countries if they work more than 29 days a year from home. From January on, this limit will be increased by five days.

The municipalities Echternach and Rosport-Mompach have started distributing more than one million euros in donations to the households that suffered from the floods in July of last year. More than 1.500 individuals donated to the victims of the floods. Additionally, each of the two communes donated 100.000 euros. The government helped the affected households with around 3 million euros and the insurances as well paid 3 million, Tageblatt reported. In July last year, in the commune of Rosport-Mompach alone, 300 houses were flooded.

Six cardiologists at the Northern Hospital CHDN have resigned for the end of the year, Delano reported. Their resignation is an act of protest against the hospital’s refusal to pay compensation for doctors who are on call. The director Paul Wirtgen hopes to find an agreement with the doctors this autumn. In case they don’t reach an agreement, the CHDN loses six out of nine cardiologists.

On Saturday, a protest against Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian territory took place on Place Clairefontaine in Luxembourg City. The Asbl LUkraine organised the protest. Their spokesperson Olena Klopota warned that Moscow would not stop after this illegal move.

On Friday, between 200 and 300 people protested against the government’s handling of the pandemic, RTL reported. Speakers voiced their discontent about how politics and media have handled the pandemic. The most prominent speaker was Dr Benoît Ochs, who was judged for violating the code of conduct by a court in April, and temporarily banned from practising as a doctor.

 

FRIDAY 30 SEPTEMBER

Luxembourg will end all Covid-19 entry restrictions for non-EU passport holders living outside the bloc from Saturday, the 1st of October, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced. Until now, non-EU passport holders living outside the bloc or the Schengen area have had to prove their journey to Luxembourg was essential or hold a vaccination certificate that was considered equivalent in Luxembourg. Now, the previous travel restrictions for 3rd country nationals will apply again and travellers must also be in possession of a valid passport and check visa rules prior to their journey. This change comes as the Health Ministry shared that in the week starting 19 September, 1,300 people tested positive for the virus, a 30% increase from the previous week. Around a quarter of those infected in the last week caught the virus from a family member and almost one in every five infections was attributed to foreign travel. Experts predict the number of Covid-19 infections is likely to shoot up in the coming weeks as the virus spreads faster due to more indoor gatherings in autumn and winter months. 

Police made several arrests of drug dealers in the Gare district of the capital this week. The first two took place when police were carrying out identity checks and seized 29 balls of cocaine, nearly 300 euros in cash and a mobile phone. The prosecution ordered the arrest of one while a criminal complaint was filed against the second for money laundering and drug violation. A check revealed that both were illegally residing in the Grand Duchy,and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was made aware of the situation. On the avenue de la Liberté, police noticed an alleged dealer taking something out of his mouth to give it to another person. After being checked, the first man confessed and handed over a ball of heroin to the police. The alleged seller was arrested after trying to flee. Cash was seized following a body search and a medical examination revealed 10 foreign bodies in his gastrointestinal tract. He was taken to the Schrassig penitentiary centre.

Commuters travelling from France into Luxembourg were hit by train strikes on Thursday, with some residual delays expected on Friday. The French rail network SNCF held a “national and interprofessional”  strike on Thursday, causing disruption to train services in and out of Luxembourg. The SNCF has warned that some disturbances are to be expected on Friday 30 September in the early morning as services resume.

Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg  announced that the Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie are expecting their second child. The birth of this little brother for Prince Charles is due April 2023. The baby will be the sixth grandchild for Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa.  

 

THURSDAY 29 SEPTEMBER

Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, with the Luxembourg Employers’ Association UEL and delegates from the three major trade unions yesterday signed the “historic” tripartite deal that they hope will help Luxembourg get through the cost-of-living crisis. The deal, which overwrites the terms of the previous agreement from March, caps the price of gas at 15% above the current rate and freezes electricity prices. Additionally, the cost of heating oil will be cut by 15 cents per litre and a temporary reduction of VAT by 1% will be introduced. Although the agreement, which will cost the state €1.1 billion, still requires approval by parliament, all three sides from the tripartite negotiations believe that is a formality.

STATEC, the national statistics agency, yesterday cut its forecast for next year’s inflation by over half after the government announced its support measures to assist households through the economic crisis. Inflation in 2023 has been revised down to 2.8% from STATEC’s previous forecast of 6.6% of a fortnight ago. STATEC claimed the recent state aid package, which limits gas price increases, cuts VAT and freezes electricity prices, as the main reason for the sharp drop.

Luxembourg’s construction industry potential has slowed down this year, according to a STATEC report released this week. Between January and July, the industry’s trust indicators, which are calculated according to the state of orders received and the current job situation, have slowly dropped. The cost of energy and materials, and a shortage of workers, are all aspects destabilising the industry’s comeback, explains STATEC. The decision of some glass and steel producers to shut over the winter in light of energy costs and shortages looks likely to worsen the situation for the construction sector.

Luxair yesterday unveiled a new special pink livery on its De Havilland Q400 aircraft on the occasion of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Luxair said it had partnered with Think Pink, a local charity organisation founded in 2009  to promote premature breast cancer early detection and screening. Multidisciplinary artist Lisa Junius has temporarily changed the Luxair brand identity from blue to pink, Luxair said, noting that this is only the third time this has happened. In addition to its new livery, Luxair is launching a range of dedicated mugs with the designs of Lisa Junius and profits from the sale of these will be entirely donated to the Think Pink charity.

 

WEDNESDAY 28 SEPTEMBER

The OGBL and CGFP trade unions announced yesterday they had approved the tripartite agreement, signifying that all three trade unions support the agreement. OGBL representatives claimed their demands had been met and welcomed the fact that the wage indexation system would resume as normal again along with measures that will lessen high inflation. In defence of the energy price cap not being socially targeted enough, the OGBL stressed that there was not enough time to draft more targeted measures. The tripartite agreement between trade unions, employers, and the government regarding the energy crisis will be signed this week.

A draft law that will tax empty properties and force landowners to build within a limited timeframe in a bid to curb Luxembourg’s housing prices is likely to be introduced, according to the Luxemburger Wort. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel promised to establish property tax reforms within 12 months in his state of the nation speech last year. One year later, the government expects the draft law to make clear who will benefit from the income from speculation and vacancy taxes as the Interior Minister claims investment in housing can be reinvested while Syvicol, the association of Luxembourg cities and municipalities, wants the tax to benefit communes.

The ministries for finance and education with the European Investment Bank this week inaugurated a new school for 80 Ukrainian children refugees or recipients of international protection. Located in Kirchberg, the building was previously used as an in-house nursery by EIB, who stated they had decided to support the most vulnerable refugees, children, by facilitating their reception and schooling in Luxembourg. Students will be split into eight classrooms and will be able to complete their elementary schooling.

The Iranian Student Association asbl has announced a protest and vigil following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in custody after being arrested by Iran’s morality police. The event will take place on Thursday from 6pm in Place de Clairefontaine in Luxembourg-Ville. In a social media post, the Association said it would “express their solidarity with those killed during the demonstrations against the forced wearing of the headscarf”. The death of Mahsa Amini sparked widespread protests both in Iran and abroad and Iran’s state media say at least 41 people have been killed in the protests in the country.

 

TUESDAY 27  SEPTEMBER 

The tripartite talks held yesterday between the government, labour unions and the national carrier Luxair have resulted in an agreement to lift a contentious pay freeze and to put an end to short-term unemployment for part of the staff of the flag carrier. The agreement which comes into force beginning ofJanuary next year, follows months of muscle flexing between employers and unions. A state-appointed mediator, former attorney general Robert Biever, will work with both parties to finesse the agreement.

Earlier in the day, hundreds of Aviation workers took to the streets of the capital city to demand better pay and working conditions. Protesters marched to the Ministry of Mobility in Kirchberg where Luxair managers, Unions and government representatives were holding the talks. Luxair workers have been complaining for months over claims that gruelling schedules, poor working conditions and a lingering pay freeze have been pushing staff to the limit. LuxairGroup is state-owned, with Luxembourg holding 39% of the shares while national bank BCEE owns another 21.8%.

The director of relief agency Caritas Luxembourg told national broadcaster RTL yesterday that the energy aid package announced by the government last week failed to address the energy gap between rich and poor and that a considerable amount of people in the Grand Duchy struggled to heat their homes before the current energy crisis even began.  Speaking to the host of the “Guest of the Newsroom” show, Marc Crochet said some 20 000 people cannot afford to heat their homes as he advocated in favour of adjusting the tax table to inflation, adding that many people will be left out of the aid package simply because they earn slightly more than the threshold. A recent report by the National Institute of Statistic and Economic studies estimates that 17.4% of residents in Grand Duchy live below the poverty line.

Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn cautioned against “any movements that could harm Europe”, following Sunday’s victory in Italy of a right-wing coalition led by a far-right party with neo-fascist roots. Asselborn noted that while he welcomed the stated intentions of the winners to abide by EU rules, he questioned the far-right leader’s ambivalence in distancing herself from Mussolini while boasting the flame which adorns the tomb of the late dictator as the official emblem of party, known as Fratelli D’Italia, or bothers of Italy. Meloni is set to become Italy’s first female prime minister. Her views are in stark contrast with European values on women’s and minority rights, migration, and gender equality. She has expressed admiration for populists like the prime minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán, US far-right strategist Steve Bannon and even Russian President Vladimir Putin before she withdrew her support when he invaded Ukraine.

 

MONDAY 26 SEPTEMBER

A new tripartite meeting will kick off today. Representatives of the government, trade unions and employers this time discuss the problems in the aviation sector. Particularly the personnel issues at Luxair have lately raised concerns. Employees say that the working conditions have become difficult, amid all the challenges the sector has faced in the past years. The trade unions LCGB, OGBL, and NGL-SNEP organise a protest in the city centre today,  demanding an improvement of work and wage conditions.

More children are placed into children’s homes than into foster families. The education Ministry published statistics for last year answering a parliamentary question, the newspaper Tageblatt reported. 772 children grew up in children’s homes and 527 in foster families. The Ministry says, more places are available in children’s homes. The FleegeElteren Lëtzebuerg Asbl. (foster parents Luxembourg) however told Tageblatt that it seemed to be a trend to send children in homes directly without bothering to find a family. The Asbl says potential foster families get little support and are more insecure after the introduction of the new youth protection law. The law foresees joint custody for the foster and birth family.

Luxembourg’s lakes and streams are in bad condition, environment Minister Joelle Welfring (the greens) said during a press conference last week. None of Luxembourg’s stretches of water comply with the EU criteria. Only half of the underground water complies with the standards. According to the minister, agriculture, urbanisation and industry are responsible for the pollution. The ministry presented a new water economy plan, aimed at improving the water quality.

 

FRIDAY 23 SEPTEMBER

Luxembourg City adopted new regulations this week that will reduce energy consumption in its buildings, infrastructure and public spaces. The move is part of a national effort to reduce natural gas demand by 15% by 31 March 2023, in order to increase the grand duchy’s energy supply security. The new package cuts back on heating in many buildings as well as lowering the water temperature in swimming pools. The Christmas market and illuminations will also be affected, with the most significant decision being to scrap the traditional ice-rink. Lights of the Gasperich water tower will remain off, except on special occasions, same as those on the facade of the new stadium. The same will also apply to other public buildings, except for the Cercle. 

As part of European Mobility Week, Minister François Bausch presented the new RGTR bus network campaign on Thursday. The new national network serves almost all localities in the Grand Duchy. The service has been reinforced to 7 days a week: Monday to Saturday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday and public holidays from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Juggling between the different transport lines and offers (tram, bus, and CFL) should be easier and constitute an alternative to the car. The timetables are available on mobiliteit.lu and the national bus network map at RGTR.lu. Minister Bausch also conducted a bilateral meeting this week with his German counterpart, Volker Wissing. The meeting was an opportunity to exchange views on rail relations between Luxembourg and Germany in terms of passenger and goods transport. One of the main subjects on the agenda concerned the rail dossier for future offers between Paris and Berlin via Saarbrücken and Strasbourg. 

The U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg, EducationUSA and the International School of Luxembourg are hosting the fifth annual Luxembourg College Night – an American-style university fair bringing over 20 top U.S. universities to Luxembourg. All students interested in academic opportunities in the United States are welcome to attend. The 29th of September event from 5 – 8pm will be at the International School of Luxembourg and will feature a welcome address by the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg, Tom Barrett, followed by an information session on the application and enrollment. Attendance is free.

Earlier this week, His Royal Highness the Grand Duke received an audience of five new ambassadors to Luxembourg at the Grand Ducal Palace for the presentation of their credentials. The new ambassadors represent the Swiss Confederation; the People’s Republic of China; the United Arab Emirates; the Republic of Malawi; and the Republic of Cuba.

 

THURSDAY 22 SEPTEMBER

There was little enthusiasm among employers in Luxembourg for the Billion euro-plus inflation-relief package unveiled by Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, following three days of marathon talks between government and social partners. The president of the Luxembourg Employers Association said the deal was an important achievement for people and businesses while he noted that it also implies extra costs for employers. Trade Unions, however, seemed unanimous in praising the deal as a much needed lifeline to struggling households and cash strapped businesses. The package of measures announced on Tuesday night targets rising living and energy costs and includes among others, a 3.3 % wage increase.

And while many rejoiced at the energy price caps, some environmentalists believe the measure is a complete failure or at least that’s what the president of Mouvéco told RTL during an interview yesterday.  According to Blanche Weber, the climate crisis and the energy crisis are intertwined and showering consumers with subsidies might not be the most environmentally friendly approach to changing consumer habits in homes and at work. Mrs Weber advocated for energy-saving measures as she criticised the energy-saving measures announced last week by energy minister Claude Tumes as lacking consistency and structure.

Retail giant Auchan in Luxembourg is recalling certain Candia bottles of baby milk formula over a packaging defect. The leaking milk bottles branded Candia Baby Junior 4, have been the subject of a massive recall all over France as well since Tuesday, September 20. Consumer associations warn these products could present a danger to the health of consumers. Customers who purchased the  250mL bottles sold in packs of 24, between the 28th of August and the 21st of September should stop consuming these items and take them back to the point of sale for a full refund.

Police in Bonnevoie are looking for a serial keyer or a group of individuals who have keyed about twenty vehicles which were parked  in the Rue des Romains, Rue Jules Fischer, Rue Xavier de Feller, Rue Jean-François Gangler, and Rue Pierre Krier. The incident took place on Monday night. Potential witnesses are asked to contact the Bonnevoie police on 244 421 000 or by e-mailing police.bonnevoie@police.etat.lu.

 

WEDNESDAY 21 SEPTEMBER

The Price cap on Energy bills announced yesterday by the Prime Minister Xavier seems to revolve around 15% of the current rate, according to RTL. The government and social partners also seem to agree on a price freeze on electricity, with the government taking charge of additional costs for households and businesses alike. Both measures are expected to come into effect on New Year’s Day 2023 and should run for a minimum duration of twelve months. If approved, the measure is estimated to cost the government €1.2 billion. The price cap shows Luxembourg walking in the footsteps of other EU nations. In neighboring France, the government last week announced  a similar cap on gas and electricity bills throughout 2023. The decision will cost the French state 16 billion euros and will prevent households from doubling their bills. 

In the meantime, the ongoing Tripartite meetings held at the Senningen castle were interrupted for a few hours yesterday to allow social partners to weigh in the package deal proposed by Prime Minister Bettel and that he was hoping to seal prior to his departure to New York today to attend the UN’s General Assembly. All negotiating sides remained tight-lipped on the details of the deal except for the price cap on energy bills but major differences remain on indexation which suggests that talks may likely resume next week, with no agreement in sight before Thursday, September 29.

The National Railroad Company CFL has unveiled a brand new fleet of high capacity rail cars to be used for cross border journeys to Belgium and France. The 34 Coradia Stream High Capacity electric railcars which were manufactured by French Alstom, are expected to be put in service as of next summer. CFL Managing Director Marc Wengler, said the new trains will significantly increase the national company’s seating capacity, especially during rush hours. The train will also provide  more space for wheelchair users, prams, and bicycles. The railroad company has seen the number of its customers grow by 85% between 2003 and 2019. The train will be fitted with WIFI, USB and Power sockets and an automatic passenger counting system will provide real-time information on the occupancy rate.

The Ministry of Family and Integration has launched a virtual platform for newcomers to the Grand Duchy. The InfoLux.lu site aims to provide quick access to information on daily life and integration in Luxembourg and to encourage citizen participation. The minister in charge Corinne Cahen said the platform was designed to help newcomers find useful information on the country, its history, culture and languages, as well its official institutions, ministries, and administrative and business procedures. The Website is available in French and English.

 

TUESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER

The government’s upcoming proposals to tackle surging energy prices should include a cap on electricity and gas bills, according to Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, who stated that such a measure: « would limit inflation and come as direct support to citizens who are concerned about the next bills ». Mr. Bettel was speaking on the sidelines of the tripartite meetings with social partners which kicked off Sunday at the Senningen Castle north east of the capital. The prime minister described the atmosphere of the talks as “very good” although he acknowledged that no agreement has been reached between employers and trade unions regarding wage increase. At a tripartite meeting in March, all sides, apart from the OGBL union, agreed to postpone indexation to the spring of 2023 in exchange for the introduction of a tax credit and other employees’ benefits.

French Energy provider EDF on Monday announced the shutdown of a reactor at the Cattenom nuclear plant _near the French border with Luxembourg_ due to a “significant” safety breach caused by human error.The incident which took place last week was reported to the French nuclear energy regulator, ASN. It is the latest in a series of problems and malfunctions in recent months which triggered concern in neighboring Luxembourg, Germany and Belgium. A statement published on EDF’s website yesterday said the breach « had no real impact on the safety of the installations». In March, EDF halted one of the four reactors in Cattenom for safety inspections following the detection of corrosion on similar reactors in another plant.

Nuclear energy and fossil gas are in the crosshairs of environmental watchdogs this week, after Greenpeace Luxembourg and other campaigners have threatened to take legal action against the European Commission over its decision to include natural gas and nuclear energy in the EU’s list of “green” investments.They argue the European Union violated its own climate laws, citing the greenhouse gas emissions produced by gas power plants, and warning that the move risks diverting investments into fossil fuels instead of renewable energy. Greenpeace said it had requested an internal review of the Commission’s decision to label gas and nuclear energy as green. Four other environmental groups – WWF, Friends of the Earth Germany, Transport & Environment and ClientEarth – focused on gas. The European Commission said it would reply to the requests in due course. 

National flags in Luxembourg were at half-mast Monday in honor of the late British monarch, while the Grand Duke and Duchess joined the 2000 thousand royals and heads of state to attend her state funeral in the English capital. Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa first visited Westminster Hall on Sunday to pay tribute to the late queen. Queen Elizabeth II, was the longest-serving monarch in British history with a reign of over 7 decades. She is succeeded by her eldest son Charles, 73, who now rules over the United Kingdom as King Charles III.

 

MONDAY 19 SEPTEMBER

The new round of tripartite negotiations started yesterday afternoon with all the participants delivering their analyses. Representatives of the government, employers, and trade unions met to discuss ways to balance the rising inflation and energy cost. A participant told the news outlet  L’essentiel: The aim is not only to balance the price explosions, but to find ways to reduce inflation in general. The trade union OGBL stresses the importance of the wage indexation system. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel however insists that the public debt is not to exceed 30% of the gross domestic product as agreed in the coalition agreement. Last week, the national statistics Institute predicted that the inflation rate will range between 4.4 and 8.5 percent next year. And gas supplier Sudenergie announced an increase of 110% in gas cost for October.

Public finances are at risk of deteriorating, RTL reported, referring to the Ministry of Finance. the Ministry expects a deficit of between 1 and 1.5 billion euros by the end of this year, due to the energy tax credit. Finance Minister Yuriko Backes (DP) said that the country did not have enough money to finance an adjustment of tax scales to inflation.

The development of the covid-19 pandemic is under control, Health Minister Paulette Lenert said in an interview with the newspaper Tageblatt. She confirmed that the current measures are enough as long as the situation stagnates. In case a new, more contagious variant appears, the effectiveness of the vaccines could be reduced, and residents would have to be more vigilant again, she added. In Germany meanwhile, the national health ministry has warned about an upcoming covid-19 wave and called upon people to be careful.

The citizens’ climate council calls for immediate action to slow down climate change.  At the end of last week, representatives of the citizens’ climate council presented their proposals to the government. They call for an increase on the tax for greenhouse gas emissions and for raising awareness on the consumption of meat, the agricultural sector having a huge carbon footprint. Further, they call for an increased production of renewable energies and incentives for more sustainability in the building sector. For eight months, the council worked on these proposals aimed at intensifying efforts against climate change. The programme was by the University of Luxembourg and financially supported by the government, as the coalition agreement has promised to facilitate direct participation of citizens in policymaking.

 

FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER

Ahead of this Sunday’s tripartite meeting, officials from STATEC have presented key statistics and three scenarios to all the parties. The aim of the meeting of government, employer and trade union representatives is to work out a deal that will help households and businesses weather inflation and rising energy costs over the winter. According to STATEC estimations, inflation is expected to be 6.6% for 2023 hitting a high in January at 8.7%.  In the most optimistic scenario, inflation will go down to 4.4%, while the most dismal sees inflation going up to 8.5%. In a press conference on Thursday, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said that the government is ready to spend and will defend the Triple A status of Luxembourg’s financial market. The country’s three major unions have expressed unity in negotiations and said it is clear that  something substantial will be necessary to help struggling households and businesses but first need to agree what is needed before calculating the costs and how to finance it. 

The gas supplier SUD energie will increase the gas price by 110% from October 1st according to its managing director in an interview with 100.7. SUDenergie supplies 38,000 households in Luxembourg, which represents 49% of all households that receive gas. Alain Fürpass explained that the bill for an average customer will go from 2,400 to 5,300 euros. Across the Grand Duchy’s borders, French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne announced earlier this week that the limitation on gas and electricity prices had been extended into 2023 and that prices cannot climb more than 15%.

As part of its “smart city” strategy and to optimise its management of incidents, the City of Luxembourg has set up a new warning system to provide better information and complete transparency for disruptions to the drinking water network. Incidents will be reported on the municipal website vdl.lu. In the event of a drinking water network incident, an information message will be displayed on the homepage of the City of Luxembourg’s trilingual website. The essential nature of the incident will be given and updated until the situation has been resolved.

The summer of 2022 was the driest ever observed in the Grand Duchy and the second hottest ever recorded since 1947.  In response to a parliamentary question, minister of the Interior, Tania Bofferding responded that a drought and high temperatures has caused a number of wildfires in the country.  During the summer period, the CGDIS recorded a total of 145 wildfires compared to 73 in 2019, 83 in 2020 and 30 in 2021. In the majority of cases, these fires are caused by human activity. Cigarette throwing, barbecues in nature or open fire are some examples of causes of flames starting through inattention.

 

THURSDAY 15 SEPTEMBER

STATEC published a report this week on household income and living conditions in 2020 which shows that household disposable income has increased despite the covid crisis and has been less affected than initially thought. The average monthly disposable income per household increased by 9.3% to €6,247 in 2020. An increase in the minimum social wage, indexation and the doubling of the cost-of-living allowance meant that the income of vulnerable households also increased. However, 2020 saw an increase in the poverty rate with the at-risk-of-poverty rate at 18.3% a rise of nearly 1% from 2019. The upward trend in the poverty rate is expected to continue in 2021, according to the forecast.

Responding to a parliamentary question from the Democratic Party, Minister of Labour Georges Engel and Minister of the Economy Franz Fayot said that undeclared work has “a clear negative impact” on tax revenues, workplace safety, the right of establishment, and social institutions. According to STATEC, undeclared work costs Luxembourg approximately €15 million in lost VAT revenue each year. In the past, officials from the Inspectorate of Labour and Mines – the office responsible for monitoring and investigating undeclared work – performed 200 internal company audits and delivered 240 fines totalling €40,000. Ministers Engel and Fayot believe that appointing more ITM inspectors would enable more checks on clandestine work.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Mobility and Public Works, François Bausch, and Minister for Energy, Claude Turmes announced that the country’s first public hydrogen refuelling station will be constructed in Bettembourg. A consortium of eight companies has been established, including TotalEnergies, which has undertaken to build the hydrogen refuelling station. The station is projected to start operating in early 2023 as part of Luxembourg’s transition to renewable energies and emission-free traffic and will provide for the supply of hydrogen to light vehicles, commercial vehicles, and heavy goods vehicles.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, paid a working visit this week to Ireland and officially inaugurated a Luxembourg Embassy in Dublin. Minister Asselborn met with the Irish Ministers for Foreign Affairs and for European Affairs to exchange views on bilateral relations and current European and international topics, including the conflict in Ukraine. Brexit and the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland were also discussed.

 

WEDNESDAY 14 SEPTEMBER

Luxembourg introduced a new Covid-19 vaccine against the dominant Omicron strain this week following the European Medicines Agency approval. The vaccine is made by Pfizer-BioNTech and will be used as a booster for people aged 12 and over. It is effective against two sub-variants of Omicron and the original virus, according to the EMA, and will prevent severe disease, hospitalisation and death associated with Covid-19.

The LCGB union, which represents most transport sector workers, said yesterday it is alarmed at the “exponential increase” in attacks on bus drivers. Almost a dozen assaults on bus drivers have been reported since the beginning of the year, according to the union, which further claims that some drivers are now reluctant to drive ‘sensitive’ routes. The LCGB met with the Public Transport Authority which has recommended stopping services to Longwy and Mont Saint-Martin after 7.30pm. Last year, the LCGB with the transport ministry agreed to install secure driver cabins but the union is pushing for  a more intermediate solution until the cabins can be installed.

The teachers’ union, SEW, yesterday criticised the Ministry of Education’s new  measures claiming they are too insignificant to bring about real change. The Syndicate for Education and Science said the measures are not decisive enough to reduce social inequalities for children with a migration background or those from a socially vulnerable environment. SEW also complained about the option of learning French rather than German, stating that French is the second-worst language for learning how to read and write according to neurologists. The teachers’ union also recommended a more transparent school report so that secondary  pupils know where they are heading and the results needed to get there.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, took part in the international conference “Shaping Feminist Foreign Policy” in Germany this week. The conference brought together foreign ministers of states practising a feminist foreign policy, representatives of international organisations and experts from civil society to explore the practicalities of actively shaping the concept of feminist foreign policy. Minister Asselborn praised the organisers for sending a strong signal regarding the importance of gender equality and the defence of the rights of women and girls, and stated that Luxembourg is committed to promoting gender equality everywhere in the world.

 

FRIDAY 9 SEPTEMBER

Addressing the anticipated energy crisis, Energy Minister Claude Turmes yesterday expressed optimism about Luxembourg’s ability to meet a 15% reduction in natural gas consumption by early spring through “voluntary measures”. He was particularly pleased with the ability of State, municipalities and private companies to come together and pull in the same direction. However, he did not rule out the possibility of arriving at binding decisions or even cuts, if the energy crisis were to worsen.

In related news, Minister Turmes was joined by ministers Taina Bofferding and Lex Delles, along with representatives from Syvicol, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Chamber of Trade to announce the Save together, stay together campaign that encourages institutions and citizens to come together. The website zesumme-spueren.lu (saving together) has advice on reducing energy consumption from Klima-Agence, and links to the procedures to apply for heating aid and cost-of-living expenses. Already some communes have instituted changes such as in Differdange which has cancelled the Christmas market ice rink and is looking to reduce festive illuminations.

The LCGB, OGBL and NGL-SNEP unions have announced a demonstration on 26 September in front of the mobility and public works ministry to demand better working conditions and remuneration for Luxair employees. The demonstration will take place on the same day as the tripartite aviation meeting. The unions say that they have tried to find solutions with management but have not had success. The issues in question are post-pandemic related which saw salary freezes and a reduction in staff however with an increased demand for travel the workloads have been increased but the possibility of wage improvement has not been addressed.

With schools starting 15 September, the Grand Ducal police are set to once again roll out their road safety campaign for the start of the new school year. Authorities will also carry out more speed checks, as well as safety checks on issues such as wearing seatbelts or incorrect parking. The campaign seeks to spread awareness that such behaviour is not only dangerous for drivers, but also a risk to pedestrians.

 

THURSDAY 8 SEPTEMBER

The ministry of finance yesterday published its annual report for the Luxembourg sustainability bond, revealing that in 2021 it had invested €333.5 million in public transport, education, and housing. In its press release, the ministry said the investments will avoid almost 290,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions through changes to passenger transport, restore and protect 8.6 hectares of natural habitat, increase the capacity of around 6,900 pupils and students, build 1,478 affordable housing units and support 13 social inclusion projects.

Refugee organisation Passerell, which supports refugees in Luxembourg, announced yesterday that it has received sufficient donations to resume its work. Earlier this year, the ASBL was forced to halt most of its activity and launch an appeal for donations. However, some projects remain on hold as the donations could not maintain the team of three full-time project managers and a part-time interpreter. Although Luxembourg is a member of the UN Human Rights Council, Passerell has received no support from the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs despite many requests.

CFL – Luxembourg’s national railway company – announced yesterday that another Second World War bomb, found near the Buchler Bridge in Luxembourg-Gare, had been successfully defused. The bomb was found during extension works to the capital’s train station and a security perimeter was created. Train traffic on the rail network was disrupted but gradually resumed from 18:00 yesterday. In March, another bomb was found near the Büchler and in the last 20 years, the Luxembourg army’s bomb disposal service has intervened three times in the area.

Luxembourg’s official statistics agency – Statec – said yesterday that the annual inflation rate in August remained largely unchanged at 6.8% despite an unparalleled increase in energy prices across Europe. The agency’s latest monthly inflation report shows the daily costs of living have risen each month, with an increase of almost 1% recorded since July. The cost of clothes and shoes rose by 14%, mainly due to the end of the summer sales, furniture and jewellery jumped by more than 6%, while airline fares soared by more than 21% in August.

 

WEDNESDAY 7 SEPTEMBER

 

Foreign Affairs minister, Jean Asselborn, has this week criticised the EU’s decision to abolish the issuing of visas to Russian citizens. He instead advocated a people-to-people approach where each applicant is screened and declared he was in favour of keeping the door open to Russian nationals. Minister Asselborn explained that because Russia is a dictatorship it is irresponsible to condemn or punish the Russian people for what Putin is doing. Regarding EU sanctions, Asselborn insisted that Putin’s government will be affected in the long term, despite recent reports that Russia has seen 38% increase in energy export earnings.

 

The National Health Fund announced this week that it had failed to reach an agreement with the Federation of Associations representing Psychotherapists in Luxembourg. In its statement, the CNS declared that the two parties’ positions were “simply too far apart”. Negotiations started in 2017, and first broke down in 2019, but the CNS said it will adhere to all legal procedures to ensure services offered by psychotherapists will be reimbursed in 2023.

 

Following a 7.2% fall in June, Luxembourg’s retail trade activity registered a growth in volume of 1.5% in July, well ahead of the EU average of 0.3%. Germany (+1.9%) and the Netherlands (+1.7%) were ahead of Luxembourg while Austria, Finland and Spain recorded the biggest decreases in retail trade activity. However, Luxembourg has experienced a 6.3% loss over the year, and was placed second to last after Denmark regarding turnover. Slovenia, Malta and Poland observed the biggest upward movements compared to July 2021.

 

The City of Luxembourg announced yesterday that the firework display planned to celebrate the end of the Schueberfouer today has been cancelled. The decision to cancel follows the advice of the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps because of the increased risk of fire due to the lengthy dry spell in Luxembourg.

 

TUESDAY 6th SEPTEMBER

 

As Luxembourg and Europe brace for a cold winter and rising energy prices, the ministers of energy and defense arrived in Oslo yesterday for talks with Norwegian politicians and energy providers. High on the agenda of Claude Turmes and François Bausch is the transition to renewable energy, sustainable mobility, and green hydrogen. The ministers will also meet with representatives from Norsk e-Fuel, Europe’s first commercial plant for hydrogen-based renewable aviation fuel. In March, Lux-airport announced it will invest in the Norwegian company as it eyes more sustainable aviation fuel for its fleet. Over 77% of Norway’s energy consumption comes from renewable sources compared to nearly 12 % in the grand duchy.

 

Meanwhile, Energy Minister Claude Turmes has announced that he government will be scrapping 14% VAT for homeowners who plan to equip the households with solar panels. Finance minister Yuriko Backes confirmed the plan during a parliamentary session on Monday. These changes will come into effect as early as January 1st 2023. However, The Energy Minister noted that the reduced tax rate would not be retroactive, due to the administrative costs and the paperwork incurred by such large scale operation. Consumer interest has increased in recent months as Britons hunt for ways to cut huge energy bills. A reduction in VAT on energy efficient systems will likely add to the appeal of solar power.

 

A Mental health charity has been hacked in the latest phishing attempts in the Grand Duchy, triggering public warnings against suspicious emails. According to the Wort Newspaper, the hackers have attempted to use the email database of The Ligue Luxembourgeoise d’Hygiène Mentale to launch phishing attacks.Cyber security authorities have been informed of the hack and it is no longer possible for scammers to use the stolen email addresses – however, they may still be able to access duplicated email exchanges for duplicitous purposes. The Ligue has warned anyone who receives suspicious messages to avoid sharing any personal information.

 

Luxembourg’s Grand Street Fair known as the “Braderie” has made a comeback yesterday along the streets near the main train Station after two years of pandemic disruptions. The 93rd edition of this yearly event featured hundreds of stands and vendors with a wide range of goods for sale at a discount price. Local shops in the neighborhood have also set shop outdoors, offering items that range from clothing and accessories, to beauty products and multimedia. The Braderie is the largest commercial venue in Luxembourg, and perhaps one of the largest in Europe, second only to the city of Lille, in Northern France.  It attracts visitors from across the country and the greater region. Most of the roads in the old town or in the Gare district were closed for traffic during the day.

 

MONDAY 5 SEPTEMBER

 

The opposition parties have criticised the lack of concrete steps to tackle the energy crisis after the joint press conference by Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and Energy Minister Claude Thurmes on Friday. The ministers announced a new tripartite meeting between the government, labour unions and employers representatives. Bettel said: “Energy can’t become a luxury, it can’t depend on a person’s wages.” MP Fred Keup from the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (adr) said the ministers had failed to provide concrete and sufficient responses. The Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) demands an energy bonus and a tax relief to relieve households. The Left Party Dei Lenk agrees with the rest of the opposition in one point: The planned postponement of the next wage indexation must be cancelled and further deferrals shall be banned, as gas prices will be soaring in autumn. Last week, the energy provider Enovos announced that prices for gas would be increasing 77 percent from October on.

 

The French government is willing to offer unlimited telework to cross-border workers. On Friday, the cabinet of the French Ministry of the Economy launched discussions with the members of the Lorraine Regional Parliament. In exchange, France’s government wants to negotiate tax compensation with Luxembourg. According to the press release, France “wishes to increase the use of telework by simplifying procedures for Luxembourgish companies through the introduction of an advance payment deducted directly by France’s public finances general directorate.” This agreement however would require a solution also for the social contributions. To date, French cross-border workers are insured in Luxembourg’s social security system, only if they spend at 75 percent of their working time in Luxembourg. Exceptional regulations due to the covid-19-pandemic ruled out in the end of August.

 

The tiger mosquito has been detected for the first time in Luxembourg, the Ministry of Health said in a statement on Saturday, adding that the phenomenon is currently contained. The tiger mosquito has been seen in two locations in the municipality of Roeser. The Ministry is currently evaluating possible solutions to eradicate the tiger mosquitos, with insecticides or by destroying their potential habitats. The tiger mosquito can transmit tropical diseases by passing them on from a sick person to another one. It is native to Southeast Asia but has also been sighted in European countries. For Luxembourg, it is the first sighting. To avoid mosquito bites, people are advised to long, covering clothing and apply mosquito repellent.

 

FRIDAY 2 SEPTEMBER

 

In a parliamentary question addressed to Finance Minister Yuriko Backes, MPs from the ADR party wanted to know the government’s position on the potential indexation of flat-rate travel expenses. They pointed out that travel expenses had not been indexed since 1992 and invoked the argument of soaring energy prices. Minister Backes confirmed that indexation was not planned since the government had invested in and increased the supply and quality of free public transport. According to the Minister, introducing such a measure would cost, with retroactivity, more than 350 million euros per year. An employee’s travel costs are determined on a flat-rate basis and are capped at 2,574 euros per tax year.

 

The 2018 law on the protection of nature, deemed unconstitutional by the Administrative Court, will be subject to a draft amendment this year, the Ministry of the Environment confirmed on Thursday. Due to “difficult implementation” and “restrictively worded provisions” simplifications will be made. Farmers will no longer be required to carry out impact studies to undertake agricultural construction on their land. They will also have priority in the management of green zones, since the ministry intends to “allocate land not yet sealed, built or exploited, more to actors in the agricultural sector who can only conduct their activity in the green zone. Changes are also planned for the groundwater protection law. Discussions will be held with representatives of the sector..

 

Meteolux published their review of summer 2022 on Thursday and concluded that it has been the driest and sunniest on record, as well as the second-warmest since records at the Findel weather station began. Meteolux measured 15 days with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees, with one exceptionally hot day registering temperatures of over 35 degrees. There were also four so-called “tropical” nights, where temperatures did not fall below 20 degrees. Over the last few months, Luxembourg saw 66% less rain than the reference period from 1991 to 2020, making it the driest summer since 1947.

 

According to a study published by Eurostat, young residents of Luxembourg stay longer in the family home than their neighbours.  The European average was 26.5 years but in France and Germany, the average age for leaving the parental home was 23.6 years in 2021. It was higher in Belgium (26.2 years) and even a little more in the Grand- Duchy (26.8 years). In Luxembourg, men leave the nest  at 27.4 years old, slightly later than women (26.3 years old).

 

THURSDAY 1 SEPTEMBER

The Green Party yesterday demanded “immediate financial aid” for the population due to rising gas and electricity prices. During a press briefing, the Party said assistance measures should be introduced “over the coming weeks” and include the middle classes. The Greens estimate extra costs of up to €2,400 per year and said any aid measures should be “in this range,” but staggered, like the tax credits that were announced earlier this year. Businesses should also be given “targeted aid,” according to the Green Party, who suggested that the details of financial assistance and how to move forward with new wage indexations should be debated at the next tripartite meeting.

 

A survey conducted by The Luxembourg Central Bank revealed yesterday that consumers felt less secure in August as prices continued to rise and the cost-of-living crisis deepened following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The report showed that the bank’s consumer confidence indicator plunged further in August after a gradual decline over the summer and was 24 percentage points lower than a year ago. However, consumers’ hopes for the Luxembourg economy rose slightly from July and were four points better than in March, immediately after the invasion. Eurostat, the EU’s official statistics agency, said yesterday that countries using the euro saw a 9.1% rise in prices in August, driven by a 39% surge in energy prices.

 

Responding to a parliamentary question from the ADR party, defence minister François Bausch said this week that Luxembourg may use its giant A400M military plane to fight future forest fires. Tests in Spain have shown the EU that such methods could be an economic and ecological option for countries that have large forest areas and that also operate A400M in the fight against forest fires. Minister Bausch explained that Spain, which has struggled to limit forest fires during this year’s unusually dry summer, had shown that the planes can discharge around 20 tonnes of water every 10 seconds.

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, François Bausch, took part in the informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers this week in the Czech Republic. The Defence Ministers exchanged views on the consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and analysed the security situation in the Sahel region in Africa and the effects that the presence of the Russian mercenary group Wagner could have in the region. Russian disinformation campaigns and ways to successfully counter them were also discussed, as well as investment deficits in the field of defence.

Minister Bausch said that Ukraine must be supported in the short, medium and long term, but wanted to ensure that any support would be effective and bring real added value.

 

WEDNESDAY 31 AUGUST

 

Energy minister Claude Turmes announced yesterday that energy company Enovos would significantly increase the price of gas. Minister Turmes said via Twitter that the increase would be followed by other suppliers inflicting a heavy burden for citizens. The minister recommended continuing the temporary subsidy of gas network costs and called for new targeted government measures to assist those most affected. Regarding the EU-wide plan to reduce gas consumption by 15%, Turmes has said that Luxembourg will promote wind and solar at high speed which will also help to combat climate change as well as rising energy prices.

 

The CNS has confirmed it will introduce Immediate Direct Payment of medical bills by mid-2023 but admitted that the digitalisation of doctors’ offices has not advanced as planned. Despite initial official estimates that 700 of Luxembourg’s 3,000 doctors would adopt the system after its launch, currently the programme is being used by about 40 doctors. The President of the National Health Fund admitted that “the entire process is more complex than anticipated, especially with the doctors’ software while the Association of Doctors and Dentists lamented that, following one year and €1 million, they were being held back in the full development of its application.

 

Luxembourg city has taken top place in recent ratings from Oxford Economics, mainly due to its good economic and employment forecasts. Oxford Economics chose three measures to rank 100 European cities: human capital, economy, and quality of life. Luxembourg’s economy came first with an index of 76 out of 100 thanks to its GDP, positive long-term forecasts, productivity, and employment growth projections. Regarding human capital, the city came second with 79/100, just behind London. Concerning quality of life, Luxembourg came 18th based on resident satisfaction surveys and factors such as the number of households with broadband, traffic jams and the average annual temperature. Criteria such as the cost of living and housing availability were not ranked.

 

The second “KlimaExpo”, Luxembourg’s national climate fair, is set to take place at LuxExpo The Box in Kirchberg from Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 October 2022. Various conferences and workshops at the free event will focus on finding concrete solutions to the challenge of climate change. A “village” dedicated to climate action and citizens’ initiatives as well as an exhibition titled “The Climate Countdown – The Road to 2050” will be present. Further details and registration can be found at klimaexpo.lu.

 

TUESDAY 30 AUGUST

 

The man behind the delivery of toxic face masks to Belgium in 2020 has appeared in court in Brussels on Monday. Laurent Hericord, managing director of Avrox, a Luxembourg-based medical supply company, was arrested in France last week. He faces charges of forgery, fraud and money laundering. The Belgian state had paid 21 million euros for the face masks which were to be distributed free-of-charge to the general public at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. The distribution had to be interrupted after authorities found out that the masks contained hazardous particles and were forced to destroy the remaining stock. Hericord and his lawyer deny money laundering charges.

 

A widely circulated group picture comprising a man in a Nazi- t-shirt at the Schueberfouer funfair in Luxembourg city last week-end has caused outrage among the public. The picture shows a young man wearing a “Kampf der Nibelungen” T-shirt, which refers to is the largest annual martial arts competition of neo-Nazi sympathisers in Germany. The man with the controversial shirt was standing next to the president of a fan club of Luxembourg’s national football team. The president of the fan club has since distanced himself from the individual saying he had no knowledge of the neo-Nazi inscription on the t-shirt.

 

Environmental group Mouvement Ecologique has said its fight against the Google Data Centre in Luxembourg is more relevant than ever due to the persisting drought and the site’s projected water consumption. The organisation argues water management should be a political matter and that Google should be denied the opportunity to build a site in the Grand Duchy. In 2017, Google bought 33 hectares of land in Bissen in central Luxembourg to set up its data centre but it has yet to provide construction plans for the property. Environmentalists have lost two court challenges seeking to slow or stop the vast warehouse of computer servers that they argue could require up to ten per cent of the country’s water supplies.

 

Luxembourg’s Prime Minister is meeting with France’s President Emmanuel Macron later Today to discuss current European affairs and the war in Ukraine. Xavier Bettel’s working visit to Paris also features  a meeting with his French counterpart, Elisabeth Borne. The two are expected to talk about the measures their governments have put in place to shield consumers from the direct impact of rising prices. Discussions on cross-border cooperation between Luxembourg and France are also on the table. Over 112,000 cross-border workers commute into the grand duchy from France, compared to 50,000 from Germany and 49,500 from Belgium.

 

MONDAY 29 AUGUST

 

The need to save energy has arrived in Luxembourg. The EU Commission’s gas emergency plan demands that every member state saves 15 percent of its gas consumption. Luxembourg’s energy minister Claude Thurmes on Friday announced the measures on the public radio station 100komma7. So far, Thurmes has announced that the lights in and around all public buildings shall be turned off earlier in the evening. Buildings shall be heated to a maximum of 20 degrees. Further details of the energy saving plan shall be announced on 8 September during a press conference, the newspaper Tageblatt reported. On RTL, Emile Eicher, president of the Luxembourg Association of Cities and Municipalities Syvicol said, the municipalities could make huge savings with these measures.

The EU’s plan also encourages all private households to save energy. Minister Thurmes meanwhile highlights that energy provision for private households is secured.

 

More than 9.000 organisations in Luxembourg are still non-compliant with the Register of Beneficial Owners (RBE), the Ministry of Justice said in their response to an LSAP parliamentary question. The register installed in March 2019 obliges all businesses, funds, foundations and ASBLs to register. Every company must notify the register of certain information, notably who is a beneficiary in the organisation. The aim is to guarantee transparency and prevent laundering as well as the financing of terrorism.

 

A railway tunnel between Kautenbach and Wilwerwiltz collapsed on Saturday. The national railway company CFL confirmed to several media that a landslide blocks the tunnel. The tunnel has been closed for traffic due to maintenance work, so that nobody got hurt by the landslide. The CFL is now conducting investigations on the cause of this incident. The maintenance work has been interrupted until further notice.

 

Luxembourg is heading for the driest summer since 1947. The national weather service Meteolux said on their social media channels. Last week, experts have estimated that in Europe, this summer will be the driest in 500 years.

 

FRIDAY 26 AUGUST

The Christian Social People’s Party have this week demanded the government prolong the 7.5-cent fuel discount. The party’s Twitter statement also warned people might choose to drive to Longwy to refuel where the discount was recently raised from 15 to 30 cents per litre and will stay in place until the end of the year. The Greens, who approved the discount as members of the coalition government, have stated they do not believe that the measure is fair – a view also held by the Left and the Pirate Party. This has prompted Minister for Mobility and Public Works François Bausch to propose the introduction of ‘energy checks’ based on people’s revenues.

 

Responding to a parliamentary question from the Pirate party, defence minister François Bausch this week said that Luxembourg’s under-staffed army has substantially increased its marketing budget this year, as it ramps up recruitment efforts. The army, which has struggled to recruit and retain soldiers in recent years, will spend €782,500 on advertising this year, a 110% increase from 2021 and 69% more than in 2019. In 2021, the army’s media budget was spent on information stands, “gadgets” and social media while 55% of its total annual budget was spent on advertising agencies.

 

A recent study by the EU statistics agency Eurostat reveals that almost three out of four Luxembourgers use the internet to access the news and get informed on current events. People in Europe who use online sources for their news increased by 2 percentage points to 72% from 2016, while Luxembourg was just below the average at 71%. The highest percentage of online news site users was recorded in Finland with 93% followed by Lithuania and Czechia at 92% each. Germany, France and Belgium registered the lowest scores. Eurostat’s study showed that men are more likely to access online news than women and that  it was most popular among the age range of 25-54 years.

 

Police yesterday announced that 13-year-old Sophie Steffenmünsberg has been missing since Monday 22 August. Sophie was last seen at approximately 2pm on rue Glesener in the Gare district, in Luxembourg City and was wearing a black top and jeans and carrying a black bag. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 244 40 1000 or by e-mail: police.luxembourg@police.etat.lu.

 

THURSDAY 25 AUGUST

 

Yesterday, Ukraine celebrated its 31st Independence Day, on the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of 1991 from the Soviet Union. In Luxembourg, LUkraine, a local non-profit organisation supporting Ukrainian refugees and humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, observed that this year’s Independence Day celebrations were bitter-sweet for all Ukrainians nationals. The organisation will hold an event celebrating the Independence Day of Ukraine this Saturday from 15:00 to 20:00 at Hesperange park as well as a photo exhibition from until 23 September at 2A Rue Albert Borschette. The Ukraine-Luxembourg Business Club asbl (ULBC) said that six months into the invasion, over fourteen million people had fled Ukraine and now are war refugees, a staggering number that was growing every day.

 

LUkraine said this week it had gained accommodation for nearly one in five Ukrainian refugees since the start of Russia’s invasion in February. The organisation has arranged housing for approximately 1,000 Ukrainian refugees, achieved partly with host families. LUkraine also announced that it will deliver a water filtration system and a fire truck to the Donetsk region.

The water infrastructure has been impaired in Ukraine’s eastern region due to heavy shelling and the filtration system should help by providing approximately 38,000 litres of clean water per day.

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Mobility François Bausch spoke this week about the tripartite negotiations in the aviation sector, due on 26 September. Speaking to RTL, Minister Bausch suggested that discussions will involve ending short-time work at Luxair as the government initially granted the permission to use short-time work owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. The minister pledged to “fight” for Luxair, emphasising that the company “has a future,” despite the whole aviation industry experiencing major challenges.

 

High temperatures and the ongoing dry weather have forced some private winegrowers to start their grape harvest early this year. Roby Ley, the director of the Wine Institute explained that Luxembourg has not experienced such a shortage of water before, making any predictions about the quality of this year’s vintage very difficult. Ley added that the only thing they were certain of was that the harvest will be smaller this year. Luxembourg’s largest producer of wine and crémant, Domaines Vinsmoselle, stated last week that this year’s harvest would start in late August – early September.

 

WEDNESDAY 24 AUGUST

 

Responding to a parliamentary question from the Alternative Democratic Reform Party, the government this week announced that approximately 400 authorisations for 5G sites in Luxembourg have been granted. Regarding health concerns about 5G on humans, the government explained its decisions were based on scientific findings from agencies such as the World Health Organisation, which found that the weak electromagnetic fields do not have any impact on the well-being of humans. However, the government stipulated that it will abide by the “precaution principle,” and limit the exposure of the population to electromagnetic fields.

 

The president of Luxembourg’s Federation of Commercial Stall Owners has defended the increased prices at this year’s Schueberfouer and voiced his disappointment over people’s fixation with them.

Regarding the price increase for food and drinks, Charles Hary said restaurants across the whole country had also become more expensive and that the price hike was not their fault. He added that although stall owners do not have to pay for their space at this year’s Schueberfouer, usually between €1,000 and €2,500, it was not enough to keep prices down. Luxembourg City Alderman Patrick Goldschmidt stated that some rides had increased by just 50 cents but that entry to the fair was still free.

 

Concerns over working conditions at Luxair have prompted trade unions to demand an aviation tripartite committee meeting be held immediately. The LCGB, OGBL and NGL-SNEP said yesterday that the full reopening of activity since the covid pandemic has caused an overload of work at Luxair. The unions intervened in July with the management of Luxair to find solutions to the various problems but, they claim, no action was taken by those in charge. Union leaders say working conditions continue to deteriorate, and the situation has become unacceptable, requiring further analysis. The CEO of Luxair recently said he was aware of these problems but claimed that some of the difficulties were not the fault of the company.

 

Luxembourg’s Minister of Finance, Yuriko Backes, this week took part in the annual meeting of German-speaking finance ministers in Switzerland. Considering the current tense geopolitical situation, the participants discussed the rise in energy prices, inflationary pressures and the high level of economic uncertainty. Minister Backes described the economic and social policy measures that Luxembourg had adopted in the wake of the Ukraine crisis and restated Luxembourg’s support for the global tax reform of the OECD.

 

TUESDAY 23 August

 

The Luxembourg Employment Agency ADEM has released the latest employment figures for July showing the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stable at 4.7%, with 14.259 registered job seekers. The ADEM report says that while the number of job seekers is down for all professional categories, the overall number of new registrations is on the rise with 2,251 new job seekers on the 31st of July, which represents a 4% increase compared to last year.

In the meantime, employers declared 3,965 vacancies to the ADEM during the month of July 2022, which represents a 13.9% increase compared to July 2021. The total number of available jobs stands at 13 028, that’s a 34.1% over the last twelve months. The employment agency believes there have never been so many positions available in Luxembourg.

 

The government will hold bilateral consultations with social partners this week to tackle the rising energy prices and the persistent inflation on businesses and low-and middle-income families. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel took to twitter last Friday to announce the meetings. Local media say the consultations point to

a new Tripartite meeting between the government, employers and trade unions representatives this fall.

Inflation may rise substantially this year, possibly reaching 6.6% according to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies STATEC, which projected a new wage indexation before the end of the year. LastJune, high inflation triggered wage indexation in response to soaring inflation. But this was postponed to 1 April 2023 and replaced by a tax credit.

 

The National Weather Service Meteolux has issued a new heat advisory for the Grand Duchy this week, in what’s projected to be the most protracted heat wave in nearly a decade. Temperatures of 31 degrees Celsius and above will begin Wednesday and they are not expected to let up until the end of the week.No measurable rain is expected for the next few days across much of the country, triggering alarm among farmers about the persisting drought. Last week, the president of the Chamber of Agriculture expressed concern over the ongoing drought saying four out of the five last seasons were too dry, and urging the government to take swift action.

 

Luxembourg is reporting a record-breaking year for camping with more local and foreign visitors heading out to national parks this summer, and camping and caravanning overnight in the 80 camps scattered across the Grand Duchy, according to the camping association CAMPRILUX. Luxembourg’s campsites have long been popular with holidaymakers from neighbouring France, Germany, Belgium  and the Netherlands. However, as more people begin considering the Grand Duchy as more than just an intermediary stop, it is also not unusual to have visitors from Spain, Denmark, Sweden, and Switzerland come for longer stays.

MONDAY 22 AUGUST

 

The environment ministry is concerned about the effects of the drought and heat on Luxembourg’s forests and stretches of water. In a statement, the ministry said, the forests need to be made more resilient through a higher plant diversity and complementarity. The cooling effect of forests is no longer present where plants stand less densely. The main challenge, the ministry says, “will be to find the right balance between protection measures to improve the disturbance resistance of current trees and measures to diversify the structure, species and provenance of future trees.” The ministry also highlighted the situation of the country’s water stretches. The decrease in river flows risks leading to critical minimum levels for the survival of fauna and flora around the bodies of water. A few small streams have already run dry in August. The ministry says this development is rare and worrying.

 

The air quality in Luxembourg is good. This is the result of a country-wide Nitrogen dioxide measuring campaign. 24 municipalities participated in the campaign last year. All measuring stations have reported values of the pollutant which are within the limit. According to the environment administration who led the campaign, the values have even decreased in comparison to the previous year. This, according to the ANF is due to the reduced traffic because of telework. Nitrogen dioxide is a result of the combustion of fossil fuels. The air pollutant is emitted by motor vehicles. Inhalation causes infections and diseases of the respiratory system.

 

Luxembourg in 2020 had the record of new cars in Europe. A study by the European statistics agency Eurostat shows that 22 percent of all passenger cars, registered in Luxembourg in 2020, was new or nearly new, that means first registered in the past two years. France, Austria, Ireland and Belgium follow on top behind Luxembourg. The highest share of passenger cars between 2 and 5 years old was also found in Luxembourg whereas the highest percentage of old cars, over 20 years old, was stated in Poland, Estonia and Finland.

 

Luxembourg’s biggest Funfair, the Schueberfouer, started this weekend – for the first time after the start of the pandemic. Organisers expect around 2 million visitors over the 20 days of the Schueberfouer, until 7 September. People on Social media have complained about this year’s high prices. A small beer costs around seven euros and a litre of sparkling water at some stands is even eleven euros.

 

FRIDAY 19 AUGUST

 

The Health Directorate yesterday confirmed that a child in Luxembourg has contracted monkeypox. The child has been placed in isolation, according to authorities, but is said to be stable and doing well. As of 10 August, statistics show that there have been 41 cases of monkeypox, 99.1% of which are men, with the average age of infected people being 30 to 40. Luxembourg currently has 1,400 vaccine doses. The second jab is usually administered after a period of 28 days. Minister of Health Paulette Lenert will give a press conference today at 2pm concerning recent monkeypox developments in Luxembourg.

 

Responding to a parliamentary question from the Pirate party, Minister of Health Paulette Lenert revealed Luxembourg had received less doses than initially requested. The minister said a second delivery of the vaccine is expected to take place before the end of the year, but was unable to provide details on quantities or the delivery date. Minister Lenert admitted it was presently not possible to verify whether Luxembourg had sufficient doses for those who are eligible as per the Superior Council of Infectious Diseases’ recommendations due to a lack of precise statistics.

 

The Luxembourg City Tourist Office (LCTO) yesterday released tourism statistics for the extended Assumption weekend, which show a return to pre-pandemic levels. The substantial influx of visitors is part of a growing trend observed from the start of the 2022 tourist season. From 12 to 15 August, the LCTO recorded 2,649 customers to its reception office which is 99.96% of the number recorded in 2019. Visitors from France were the most numerous with a total of 579 people, followed by 513 Dutch visitors, 488 Germans, 162 Luxembourg visitors and 146 Belgian visitors. Over the Assumption weekend, 460 visitors took part in 23 guided tours of the Grand Ducal Palace while a total of 2,803 visitors took part in exploring the Casemates de la Pétrusse.

 

The Grevenmacher Council of Aldermen have announced they will shut the local swimming pool one month ahead of time to save energy. The pool was planned to stay open until 30 September, but will close three weeks earlier, on 9 September. Local officials hope to save 17.138 cubic metres of gas by closing the site early which equates to the yearly consumption of five households. They estimate that they can also save the average yearly electricity consumption of ten households and the water usage of 19 households.

 

THURSDAY 18 AUGUST

 

Responding to a parliamentary question from the CSV, Health Minister Paulette Lenert said this week that she does not expect Luxembourg will require more Covid-19 restrictions this autumn and winter if there are no more new variants. However, the minister added that the government has stockpiled tests in preparation for the spread of new strains. If a more lethal variant is detected, measures will need to be taken, minister Lenert said, including large-scale self-testing and targeted testing in hospitals, care homes, and schools. Regarding boosters, Lenert said It is “likely” that a second will be recommended to the wider population when an Omicron-tailored booster becomes available.

 

The government announced yesterday that free contraceptives will be offered from early next year. Health Minister Paulette Lenert and Social Security Minister Claude Haagen explained that the covid pandemic had delayed implementing the coalition party pledge but that they expected it will be finalised in autumn 2022. The CNS currently reimburses 80% of the cost of contraceptives for women, up to the age of 30. The changes mean that anyone can choose “the method of contraception that is best suited” after consultation with a doctor, and discussions are underway to develop free distribution channels for condoms,” Haagen and Lenert said.

 

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs yesterday published figures about applications for international protection and temporary protection in Luxembourg for July. 177 people applied for international protection, up from 127 in June but down from 207 in May. 132 decisions on asylum applications were taken, up from 121 the previous month, with 50 applicants being granted refugee status in Luxembourg. The largest number of applicants seeking asylum in Luxembourg in July once again came from Syria, followed by Eritrea and Afghanistan. To date, Luxembourg has received a total of 1,115 applications for international protection for 2022 – almost double the applications received this time last year.

 

The Farmers’ Alliance this week expressed its concerns about the effects of the weeks-long drought that has significantly impacted the industry. Grass and maize have dried out entirely in the last weeks causing a shortage of animal feed for this coming winter. Furthermore, the Alliance said the international agricultural markets have been negatively affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Farmers’ Alliance has requested an agricultural summit in autumn to discuss these matters as well as the future direction of Luxembourg’s agriculture.

 

WEDNESDAY 17 AUGUST

 

The interior ministry revealed yesterday that compensation payments of only €370,000 have been made by the government from claims worth €23 million for damage caused by last year’s floods. That figure is just over 1% of the total value of the claims. Echternach and Rosport-Mompach – the two-worst affected towns – made claims totalling €17m, for which the government has given an advance payment of €2.4m. Out of thirty-six communal councils and two organisations that applied for compensation, the interior ministry said twelve had not yet received any money because of missing documents.

 

The anti-racist and feminist association, Lëtz Rise Up, has demanded that an 1892 plaque of Luxembourgish engineer Nicolas Cito be removed from in front of the Secondary School for Health Professions in Käerjeng. Cito, who built the first railway line in Belgian occupied Congo in the 19th century, is held responsible for the deaths of around 5,000 slaves who died working on the project. The group wants the plaque replaced by a different monument which commemorates the victims that lost their lives which would also help raise awareness for those who are not aware of Luxembourg’s colonial past. Lëtz Rise Up say there are still many streets and monuments that commemorate men who exploited European colonies causing grief to the descendants of those indigenous populations. The municipality has told Lëtz Rise Up that it has “no intention” of removing the plaque.

 

The Ministry of Health this week recommended people aged over 65 and those with pre-existing conditions get vaccinated against flu ahead of Autumn. COVID restrictions such as masks mandates and social distancing have made it tougher for respiratory illnesses to spread but might also have weakened how people cope with an influenza infection. Dr Jean-Claude Schmit said that flu and Covid vaccinations can be given at the same time and that while people above the age of 65 should get inoculated, there was increased interest from younger people in getting extra protection.

 

Police yesterday announced that 13-year-old girl Lana Domenica Mastropaolo Wampach has been missing since Wednesday 10 August. Lana is described as 1.50-1.60 metres tall and has straight, long brown hair and speaks Luxembourgish. She was last seen in Hellingen when she left her home around 10 am. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Dudelange police station on 244-691000 or 113 or via email: police.dudelange@police.etat.lu.

 

FRIDAY 12 AUGUST

 

Luxembourg gas suppliers Enovos and SUDenergie yesterday announced that prices are expected to increase by 80% this autumn. The EU’s gas emergency plan, which started on Tuesday, requires the government, municipalities, businesses, and private households to save energy. The EU hopes that by October it will have filled its gas storages by 90%, which should stabilise winter prices. Luxembourg’s gas supplies mostly come from Belgium with approximately 60% of imported gas used to heat buildings and the remainder used for industrial manufacture.

 

The Ministry of Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development, with the Water Management Administration, this week confirmed that the heat wave and ongoing dry conditions are affecting water courses and aquatic habitats. According to their statement, 2022 looks set to be a year of record drought with rivers suffering with extremely low levels, while some are dry. For waterways, low water levels mean an increase in water temperature, a reduction in oxygen for aquatic organisms and an increase in the concentration of pollution. Although drinking water levels at the national level are sufficient to meet current consumption, the statement warns that some municipalities are experiencing critical situations at the local level. The Ministry and the Water Management Administration urged people to not pump water from riverbeds and refrain from fishing, watering their lawns, or washing their cars.

 

The foreign affairs ministry this week confirmed that it won’t restrict Russian tourists from visiting Luxembourg. Speaking to Delano, a spokesperson explained that it assesses every visa application and applies all visa sanctions that operate in the European Union, adding that current measures do not stop the distribution of visas to Russian tourists. Estonian and Finnish prime ministers Kaja Kallas and Sanna Marin this week said it was not right that Russians are allowed to travel within the EU despite the current conflict in Ukraine.

 

The Parks Service of the City of Luxembourg yesterday issued a public request for Christmas trees to decorate the capital during the Christmas period. The Parks Service say they will be responsible for felling and transporting the trees from mid-October and will then situate the trees in various locations throughout the capital, during the festive season. Anyone with a tree of a suitable shape from 8 to 20 metres tall, which they want removed because of its height, can call the Parks Service on 4796-3423 or can email parcdemande@vdl.lu with a photo of the tree in question until the end of September.

 

THURSDAY 11 AUGUST

 

ADEM’s Head of Employer Services said yesterday that just 7% of Ukrainian refugees who have registered with the unemployment agency found a job in Luxembourg. Approximately 4,200 Ukrainian refugees, including children, young people and the elderly, have provisional protection status in Luxembourg. 910 Ukrainians have registered with ADEM since March and  580 of those are still looking for jobs. A quarter of the refugees who found a job went on to work in the hospitality sector. Half of the Ukrainians seeking jobs are aged between 30 and 44 years old and 70% of them are women. Although one in five has a high school diploma and 70% have a university degree, the biggest challenge in finding a job is language skills, which are mostly limited to English.

 

Fuel prices in Luxembourg this week cost the same as at the start of the conflict in Ukraine in February. A litre of Super 95 sold for €1.595 at the start of Russia’s invasion and now can be purchased for €1.598. Although diesel prices have also reduced, they are still some way from the February’s levels. The prices take the automatic government rebate of 7.5 cents per litre  into account which came into force on 13 April. In July, finance minister Yuriko Backes said the government was not considering an extension to the discount

 

Commuters and motorists dependent on the A1 motorway to Trier should  prepare for disruption next month. Roadworks are set to begin at the Sernigerbaach viaduct on the border between Germany and Luxembourg, and are expected to last just over a month. Construction will take place from 7pm on Thursday 18 August between the Wasserbillig services and the Mertert interchange. Work is expected  to finish by 5am on Monday 19 September. Traffic can use just one side of the motorway, which will be split into two lanes  reducing the speed limit to 50 km/h.

 

Energy supplier The Encevo Group confirmed yesterday that its customer data had been stolen during a cyber attack and published on the dark web. A hacker group called The “BlackCat” group claimed responsibility for the cyber attack, which took place on the night of 22-23 July and also hit energy supplier Creos. No further details were supplied , but according to a statement, the data stolen could consist of names, addresses, email address, telephone numbers, and bank details for certain customer groups. The group is still analysing the data, and say they have not been able to contact all the affected customers personally.

 

WEDNESDAY 10 AUGUST

 

As Europe this week starts to reduce its energy consumption to manage a potential gas shortage this winter, energy minister Claude Turmes warned that from January to March the situation in Luxembourg will be difficult. Speaking to Delano, minister Turmes said he expects a large part of this reduction will come from industry, either through optimisation processes or by migrating to another energy source. An awareness campaign will be launched, and circulars will be distributed to businesses and households with recommendations to follow. Individuals will be encouraged to heat their rooms to the right temperature and in moderation and be more sensible with their consumption of hot water. Minister Turmes said the fact that Germany and Belgium are restarting their nuclear power reactors because French reactors are failing was ‘absurd’. He criticised France’s nuclear policy for preventing the construction of between 15,000 and 20,000 megawatts of solar power, and that every winter it’s neighbouring countries have to save it from blackout.

 

The non-profit nature group Natur&Ëmwelt yesterday voiced its concern that the planned tram expansion along Porte-Neuve would mean that trees and bushes are removed beside the Kinnekswiss park. In their letter to the City of Luxembourg and Minister of Mobility François Bausch the association requested guarantees that construction would not negatively affect plant life in the city’s park. Removal of flora would have disastrous results for the city’s climate and biodiversity, the association stressed and suggested that roads used for cars should be used for the tram instead.

 

According to the latest police annual report released this week, the number of police officers climbed by nearly 10% last year. In 2021, the report showed that the police’s total budget rose by just over 8% from 2020, as the number of officers increased by 9%. Drug related crime fell by 18% and domestic abuse offences dropped almost 3%, but financial crimes, such as fraud, banking crime and forgery rose sharply throughout 2021 with an increase of almost 90% from the year before. Bicycle thefts rose by more than a third in 2021 and there was a 20% increase in robberies, according to the report.

 

The Minister of Labour, Employment and the Social and Solidarity Economy – George Engel – this week disclosed parental leave statistics for the last five years. In 2021, 11,636 people made use of parental leave, up by over 40% from 2017. Additionally, a growing number of men chose to use their right for parental leave with the number almost doubling between 2017 and 2021 to 6,186. Since 2019, statistics show that more men than women have taken parental leave.

 

FRIDAY 5 AUGUST

 

Ahead of the arrival of 1,400 monkeypox vaccine doses this month, The Higher Council for Infectious Diseases yesterday revealed its initial vaccination strategy. As a precautionary step, men who have multiple same-sex relations, transsexual persons who have sexual contact and sex workers will be inoculated as these groups are considered most at risk. Immunocompromised persons and healthcare workers who have been in contact with a person with the virus should be inoculated, ideally within 1-14 days after the contact. The vaccination is completed in 2 doses, with the second shot administered 28 days after the first.

 

Energy supplier Encevo announced yesterday that its client services would be back online shortly following a cyber-attack that hit two of its subsidiaries. The cyber-attack, which took place on 22 and 23 July, disrupted the company’s telephone lines, web pages and management systems through which hackers obtained large quantities of data. In its statement, the energy provider thanked customers for their patience, requested again that customers not contact the group and advised that a website was available to provide information.

 

A new Luxembourg Space Campus, to be divided over two sites, was announced this week. A research campus is scheduled for Belval while a seven-hectare site for businesses will be located in Kockelscheuer, both with a mission to improve cooperation between all entities in the space industry. The Luxembourg Space Agency headquarters will also move to Kockelscheuer, where small satellites will be tested in real-life conditions. Minister of the Economy Franz Fayot said the space campus project would be important in launching many start-ups from the ‘Fit for start’ programme. Minister for Higher Education and Research Claude Meisch stated the campus would help bring together separate entities from Luxembourg’s space industry, including the university with its space master programme.

 

The Police have reported that 20-year-old Giuseppe Pastore has been missing since Wednesday morning. Giuseppe, who lives in Mersch, was last seen at 10:00 on Wednesday and police have not ruled out the possibility that he is now abroad. Giuseppe speaks Luxembourgish, French and German and when last seen was wearing black glasses and a black T-shirt. He is described as carrying his mobile phone with him in a blue shoulder bag which he wears around his neck. Anyone with information is asked to  contact the Limpertsberg police department on 244-481000 or via the emergency number 113.

 

THURSDAY 4 AUGUST

 

STATEC warned yesterday that the conflict in Ukrai ne could push inflation to an annual rate of 6.6% by the end of 2022, triggering another automatic wage indexation by the end of the year. However, the tripartite decided to defer the next automatic wage indexation, which was due in July, until April 2023 and pay out tax credits instead. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel announced he had asked STATEC to update the inflation calculation for September and would convene a Tripartite meeting based on its figures. Speaking to RTL, the leader of the CGFL trade union said he expected new negotiations to happen by November at the latest.

 

News site Global Finance this week reported that Luxembourg is the world’s wealthiest nation in 2022. Based on a report by the International Monetary Fund, the article argues that although countries like the US, China and Japan have much larger Gross Domestic Product, a more accurate figure can be found by dividing the GDP by the number of residents. Smaller countries like Luxembourg, Singapore (in second place) and Ireland (third) came out top with the Grand Duchy achieving an average wealth per capita of $140,694. Global Finance warned that even countries like Luxembourg will be hit hard by the energy crisis and the consequences of the conflict in Ukraine.

 

The Federation of Car Dealers and Mobility yesterday signed a new collective agreement with the OGBL and the LCGB trade unions. The Federation hoped the agreement was a “sign of stability and continuity” for an industry “currently going through difficult times. The new agreement includes workers employed in body shops meaning that all workers in the entire motor vehicle sector are guaranteed equal working conditions and, from the start of next year, will receive a 27th day of holiday and an increase to 100% for Sunday overtime.

 

The Luxembourg Red Cross yesterday urgently requested blood donations to avoid a shortage, warning their current reserves of blood meant they could only supply hospitals for six days. A combination of the continuing Covid-19 pandemic and people away on their holidays is thought to be responsible for the lack of donors. The Red Cross advises citizens to donate before going on holiday. You can give blood by making an appointment at dondusang.lu or calling 27 55 4000. Alternatively, you can go to the blood transfusion centre without an appointment at 42, boulevard Joseph II in Luxembourg City. The centre is open 8am to 4pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday and 8am to 6pm on Wednesday and Thursday.

 

WEDNESDAY 3 AUGUST

 

The Ministry of Energy and Spatial Planning this week revealed the first actions of Luxembourg’s national strategy meant to reduce natural gas demand by 15% until 31 March 2023. The Government is calling for immediate vigilance and solidarity from all stakeholders including the state, municipalities, businesses and individuals. Clear instructions are being developed for the energy-efficient management of public buildings and energy consumption awareness for various municipal activities. The Ministry of Energy and Spatial Planning will liaise with unions to identify the potential for reducing energy consumption and to raise awareness among their members. In September a huge national information and awareness campaign will be launched to inspire individual citizens to save energy.

 

French energy company EDF has announced that it plans to have three reactors at the Cattenom nuclear power plant operational by the end of the year. Technicians at the Cattenom plant, situated 10 km from the border with Luxembourg, are undertaking extensive maintenance work aimed at getting two more nuclear reactors running as soon as possible as France hopes to prevent electricity shortages this winter and the use of fossil fuels.

 

Mayor Yves Wengler has defended his decision to permit the construction of a central heating plant in Echternach without authorisation from the Nature Administration and the Water Management Authority. The Nature Administration stopped construction last week after three trees were cut down without permission while the Water Management Authority voiced concern that the location of the heating plant is judged at risk of flooding. Speaking to RTL, Mayor Wengler said the local school and gymnasium would depend on the heating plant starting next year and decided to proceed without authorisation because of time pressures.

 

The Gaston Thorn European school in Luxembourg City announced yesterday  it will expand its capacity to facilitate the higher enrollment demand expected in the near future. The European public school, free of charge and open to all pupils in Luxembourg, helps manage the large number of pupils who don’t speak Luxembourg’s official languages. Nine classrooms, instead of the planned seven, will be added at primary school level to satisfy the demand for English and French lessons while the German section will be cut due to lack of demand.

 

TUESDAY 2 AUGUST

 

Finance minister Yuriko Backes welcomed the recent decision by rating agency DBRS Morningstar to grant Luxembourg a Triple A status saying it was reassuring news in the highly volatile economic environment. Earlier in July, Fitch, another international rating agency, confirmed Luxembourg’s Triple A rating. According to Fitch and DBRS, the maximum score obtained by Luxembourg, despite deteriorating growth figures in recent months, reflects the good governance indicators and solid public finances of the Grand Duchy. In the meantime, DBRS Morningstar warned that “a severe shock to the country’s large international financial center and to its attractiveness as a business hub could have a significant impact on the economy and may result in a review of the top rating.

 

Rental vouchers for low-income and senior residents have increased as of Monday August 1st to help renters hold on to their homes and cope with the high costs. The Ministry of Housing made the announcement in mid-July, indicating that the increase, which is part of a rental assistance program, was anticipated. The ministry also announced it has expanded the eligibility requirements with special focus on single-parent families. The amounts allocated to the various eligible households have increased by an average of 50% to help with their monthly payments. .In practical terms, a single person with a maximum monthly income of 3,126 euros will receive a 200 euro voucher, while households with two children, making 6,405 euros per month will get 360 euros. Housing minister Henri Kox recently noted that the vast majority of people who could benefit from rental vouchers do not apply for one.

 

Belgian Supermarket chain Delhaize on Monday announced it was recalling a meat  produce after traces of salmonella were identified. A statement published on its website says the problem affects the retailer’s “Rôti de dinde roulé’ or Roast Turkey with expiry date on 7 August. Delhaize asked customers to return the contaminated food item and pledged refund but insisted all other meat produce is considered safe for consumption. Salmonella can provoke fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhoea up to 48 hours after consumption of a contaminated product. 

 

Luxembourg’s weather agency Meteolux has ranked July of this year as the month with the highest number of hours of sunshine in the country’s history.  With 377 hours of sunshine recorded at the Findel weather station, 2022 has taken the title formerly held in July 2018, which had 348 registered hours of sun. The average temperature was 20.6°C, 1.9°C higher than the average recorded between 1991 and 2020. July has also been the third-driest month since the beginning of recordings in 1947 with 6.8 l/sqm. The least amount of precipitation was registered in 1949 with only 2.2 l/sqm.

 

MONDAY 1 AUGUST

Salaries and working conditions for Employees in the healthcare sector will be improved. The OGBL and LCGB trade unions with the Luxembourg hospital federation announced a new agreement in a joint statement that aims to make employment in the healthcare sector more attractive. For the coming three years, staff will receive better pay when on call, extra time off for working night shifts and a 3 percent bonus for their heavy workload during the covid-19 pandemic.

 

The health ministry has announced the delivery of 1.400 doses of vaccine against monkeypox for  Luxembourg in August. Meanwhile, the numbers of confirmed monkeypox cases in Luxembourg have increased rapidly. There were 23 cases, 9 of those newly confirmed within the past week. Across Europe, more than 18.000 cases have been detected, an increase of around 25 percent within one week. The World Health Organisation last weekend declared a public health emergency of international concern. The agency recommends vaccination for high-risk groups, such as healthcare workers, and men who have sex with men with multiple sexual partners.

 

Only 39 doctors in Luxembourg use the digital reimbursement tool that was introduced at the end of last year to accelerate the reimbursement procedure. Health Minister Paulette Lenert provided this information following a parliamentary question by DP deputy Carole Hartmann. The CNS developed the tool together with the doctors’ association to progressively digitalise the reimbursement of doctors’ bills. The procedure up to now takes around six weeks, on their website, the CNS says, they’d receive around 14.000 bills on paper a day and most documents had to be scanned by their staff before being processed. The new digital procedure equips doctors with access to a joint platform. Via a QR code on the medical bill, patients can upload the information, a CNS algorithm evaluates the bill and reimbursement is made immediately. According to Delano, the CNS expected 30 percent of all doctors to be equipped by July this year. Until May however, only 39 out of around 1.800 doctors in Luxembourg had signed up. For now, the doctors are not obliged to offer this service.

 

The first three holiday flats called Kabaisercher around the new hiking trail Minett Trail can be booked now. The opening has been long awaited, as it was initially announced for spring, to accommodate visitors of the European capital of culture Esch2022 and hikers for the summer season. But material shortages due to the pandemic made the project managers postpone the opening. Additionally, the company that was supposed to manage the holiday flats withdrew from the project and the search for a new manager took some time. Dudelange, Tetange and Rumelange are the first three out of eleven Kabaisercher to be opened. One night in the holiday flats around the trail costs 150 euros. Most of the Kabaisercher have been developed in cooperation with architects and artists and many have repurposed existing structures such as administrative buildings of the old steelworks or an old locomotive’s waggon.

 

FRIDAY 29 JULY

 

The Ministry of State announced yesterday that an initiative committee had filed another request for the organisation of a referendum on the revision of the Constitution of Luxembourg.

To establish a referendum, a committee must present a request to the Prime Minister who will have three days to decide whether it meets the requirements set by law. If approved, municipalities must then inform voters and specify the locations where they can support the request by signing it. A minimum of 25,000 signatures are needed for the request to be successful.

 

Energy supplier Creos and its parent company Encevo said yesterday they were still “analysing the damage” following last week’s cyber-attack in which hackers obtained large quantities of data from the company’s computer systems. Encevo said they were making every effort to evaluate the damage and investigate the hacked data but was not yet in a position to inform those affected by the attack. The energy supplier requested that customers not contact the group regarding the attack and advised that a website was available to provide information.

 

The government announced this week that it will appeal a court decision which ruled in favour of chemicals company Bayer against the banning of glyphosate. Luxembourg was the first EU member to ban glyphosate substances, considered toxic to life and carcinogenic, instructing retailers and farmers to phase out products – such as herbicides – by the end of 2021. Earlier this month, the administrative court stated that the decision to ban glyphosate did not fall under the country’s jurisdiction. Glyphosate products will remain prohibited in Luxembourg while the government files its appeal against the court’s decision.

 

A new report by STATEC, published this week, reveals that the number of holidays taken rose in 2021 with the average Luxembourg resident going on holiday 3.4 times last year. Of the 1.96 million trips taken in 2021, 1.78 million were for leisure while just 181,000 were classed as business trips. 77% of the population travelled abroad last year and most chose longer trips than before the pandemic with an average stay of 7.8 nights. 96% of travellers visited destinations in Europe, with 8% of those electing to remain in Luxembourg for a staycation.

 

THURSDAY 28 JULY

 

This week, the Minister for Energy and Spatial Planning, Claude Turmes, took part in the meeting of the Energy Council of the European Union which agreed to voluntarily reduce natural gas demand by 15% this winter. The exceptional agreement, which will apply for one year, was welcomed by minister Turmes who said Luxembourg must show solidarity and strive to reduce our energy consumption which will also contribute to climate protection and can have a positive effect on stabilising energy prices. The relevant local ministries are currently updating an emergency plan which will be presented in early autumn 2022.

 

An agreement to support state-backed loans for companies in economic difficulty because of the war in Ukraine was reached yesterday by the government and six Luxembourg banks. The state will guarantee loans of up to 90%, capped at €500m that equal 15% of the average annual turnover of the last three years or half of a years’ worth of energy costs. The government introduced a similar scheme following the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic after businesses had suspend activity during lockdowns

 

Meanwhile, credit analy st Creditreform warned this week that more businesses could close as the energy crisis continues into the winter, warning that Luxembourg would not be able to decouple itself from the internationally rising bankruptcy figures despite government measures and structure advantages. The number of companies declared bankrupt fell to 511 in the first half of 2022, down from 650 for the same period in 2021 but Creditreform warned that these figures do not include businesses that elected to close before running into financial difficulties.

 

Following the chaotic Nations League match between Luxembourg and Turkey on 11 June, the owners of the new Cloche d’Or stadium, along with the municipality of Luxembourg City, this week announced the penalties it will hand down to guilty fans. The municipality of Luxembourg City with the Luxembourg Football Federation (FLF) said fans that invaded the pitch during the match will be banned from the stadium entirely for one year. Furthermore, the FLF will ban these same fans from games organised by the Federation for 10 years.

 

WEDNESDAY 27 JULY

 

Almost a quarter of households in Luxembourg struggled with finances last year according to a STATEC report released yesterday based on information given by citizens on how they feel their financial situation is. The number of families who said they had struggled financially fell to 23.4% last year, but the percentage of households who claimed it was “very difficult” rose to 3.9%. Generally, households described increased financial stability last year, returning mostly to pre-pandemic levels. However, nearly 70% of households claimed that loan and debt repayments was a substantial burden on their finances in 2021.

 

A new website has been launched intended to draw foreign workers to fill recruitment holes within certain sectors of the Luxembourg labour market. Called “Work in Luxembourg” the website is a collaborative undertaking by ADEM and the EU’s employment network EURES and is currently concentrating on the 16 fields currently most impacted by labour shortages, including IT, accounting, and finance. More than 2,800 jobs are currently available on the website. Luxembourg businesses have been fighting to find skilled workers for years, especially in the financial sector while EU institutions have also reached a stalemate in finding qualified labour, hampered by not being able to raise pay for EU workers and plans for a housing allowance being abandoned by the European Commission.

 

According to the newspaper Wort, the new N3 / N40 road connecting Gare and Bonnevoie might be finished ahead of schedule. The article quotes members of the Bridges and Roads Authority, indicating that the road, to be called “Boulevard de Kiev” will be opening imminently instead of the scheduled completion date in September. The N3 will connect several Luxembourg City districts, including Gare, Bonnevoie, Howald, and Gasperich.

 

A visit by the UN working group on business and human rights, due to take place earlier this month was postponed by the Luxembourg government due to the unavailability of civil servants. The purpose of the visit was “to assess the negative impacts of business operations on human rights and the environment” and had been planned well in advance. However, a UN press release stated that Luxembourg, a member of the Human Rights Council until 2024, postponed the visit “at the last minute”. Discussions are ongoing to find new dates for the visit.

 

TUESDAY 26 JULY

 

Luxembourg’s energy supplier ENCEVO said it is investigating the full scope of a cyber-attack that hit two of its subsidiaries over the week-end. In a statement released on Monday, the group said the attack on Friday night has disrupted the customer services of the Grid operator Creos and energy provider Enovos, but failed to affect the vital infrastructure of the companies. Encevo said it is working with the cyber-crime authorities in Luxembourg to find out more about the attack and its perpet rators. This is not the first time that a cyberattack – a method which consists of neutralizing a computer system while awaiting the payment of a ransom – has affected a Luxembourg company. In April 2020, the retail group Cactus was forced to shut its stores in Windhof, Merl and Bonnevoie for several days following a ransomware attack.

 

The National Health Fund (CNS) has announced a sharp increase in demands for home-based healthcare services over care homes according to a 2021 insurance report. The CNS said the number of insurance beneficiaries for home caregiving has increased by (3.6%) compared to nursing homes which seem to stagnate at (1.1%). This could partly be explained by the effects of the pandemic, as elderly people were more reluctant to enter nursing homes due to the risk of outbreaks.

 

Trade unions across Europe on Monday called on the European Commission to impose maximum temperature limits for workers outdoors, after three people died while on shift in Madrid during last week’s heatwave. According to research by the polling agency Eurofound, 23 percent of all workers across the EU are exposed to high temperatures a quarter of the time ; a figure which  rises to 36 percent in agriculture and industry and to 38 percent for construction workers. Only a handful of member states have legislation limiting working hours in excessive heat. In Luxembourg, where there is no legislation on work in extreme weather conditions, the Chamber of Skilled Trades and Crafts has called on employers to equip office spaces with AC, or fans and provide fresh drinking water in the workplace.

 

In an attempt to protect the urban ecosystem and sensitize residents about the positive impact of bees to biodiversity, food chain, and pollination of various plants, the City of Luxembourg is organizing two guided tours in addition to the regular tours within its beekeeping educational circuit. The visits which are part of the program “En Dag an der Natur” or “A day in Nature” are scheduled for today and August 9, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and will depart from Guillaume-II, under the leadership of Nico Hoffmann, former entertainment manager at the Maison de la nature in Kockelscheuer. The 2.5-kilometer route through the capital allows adults and children to learn about the world of bees. Panels in French, German and English provide detailed explanations on biodiversity in the city and a multitude of themes around the bee.

 

MONDAY 25 JULY

 

The fuel rebate will be extended by one month. On Friday, the government ministers agreed on the extension of the discount to support households and to stay competitive with Germany. The discount of 7.5 cents per litre petrol and diesel was due to expire at the end of this month. Luxembourg has subsidised fuel for the past three months as part of the Tripartite agreement to lower the impact of inflation on households.

 

Luxembourg will receive 35 million euros for the electrification of the regional bus lines. The subsidy provided by the European Regional Development Fund shall accelerate the introduction of electric buses. According to Delano, 11 percent of the RGTR fleet are electric today. By the end of 2023, 500 of the 1.400 buses shall run on electricity.

 

Researchers from the Luxembourg Institute of Health detected a median of 61 different pollutants in children’s hair. For their study, the researchers collected hair samples from more than 250 children and gathered information on their lifestyle via a questionnaire – to study chronic pollutant exposure. Children with a predominantly organic diet had significantly lower concentrations of several pollutants in their hair. The living environment, urban or rural, according to the findings, affect the type of pollutant rather than the quantity. In more than half of the samples, they found so-called persistent organic pollutants which have been banned in Europe for over 20 years. The researchers explain this pollution with Luxembourg’s industrial past and the long degradation periods. They hope these findings can help to establish preventative measures that would limit children’s proximity to dangerous substances.

 

FRIDAY 22 JULY

 

Following the announcement this week that the new N3 / N40 road will be called “Boulevard de Kiev”, after the Ukrainian capital, supporters of Ukraine have complained about the spelling used which derives from the Russian language. They claim the boulevard should be named ‘Kyiv’ and not ‘Kiev’ as Ukraine has been attempting to drop evidence of the former Soviet Union by promoting the Ukrainian transliterations since 2018. The City of Luxembourg has explained that all squares and streets are designated by their French names but that road signs will later contain the Ukrainian name ‘Kyiv’ as well as the French designation.

 

Following reports earlier this week that the government might extend the current fuel discount by one month, the Greens yesterday voiced their support for the extension which reduces the price by 7.5 cents per litre. At the party’s annual retrospective on the parliamentary year, MPs further stated that while the party is in favour of relief packages, universal fuel discount benefits high-income people more than those with lower incomes and that the existing measure does not really impact on the price increase. The Greens instead favour a tax relief around soft mobility

 

Meanwhile, The ADR also applauded the possible extension of the fuel discount as they reviewed the party’s work in the chamber of deputies during the past parliamentary year. The ADR criticised the government for not delivering the constitutional referendum that it had promised in 2018. Regarding public finances, the party said it didn’t want to increase the tax burden on residents and proposed a review of the grand duchy’s growth strategy and expenditure, even if it means cutting off some services currently offered by the state.

 

The president of the Parliament’s petitions committee this week revealed that there has been a 60% increase in the number of public petitions by Luxembourg residents seeking action from politicians. A record 428 petitions were created in the last year, up from 271 in the previous year, demanding laws granting workers the ability to telework two days a week, shortening the working week to 35 hours, and making English the country’s fourth official language. MPs in the Chamber of Deputies are obliged to debate any petition that collects a minimum of 4,500 signatures within a period of 42 days.