On 2 April, Parliament passed legislation extending full adoption rights—which legally severs ties with the child’s biological family—to people in civil partnerships, cohabiting couples, and single people. Previously, full adoption was only available to married couples. The reform also requires minors to consent to their adoption, provided they are capable of making an informed decision. Previously, only children aged 15 and over needed to be consulted prior to adoption. The legislation, introduced by the Justice Ministry in 2023, was approved with 55 votes in favour and 5 abstentions. In a press release, the government stated that the reform aims to strengthen children’s rights, while promoting equality of the treatment for adults wishing to adopt, irrespective of marital status. The parliamentary Justice Committee underscored the law’s steps towards ensuring anyone capable of providing a stable family can adopt. The law entered into force on 20 April. 

Sources: RTL, Luxembourg Times, Virgule, Chamber of Deputies, The Luxembourg Government 

In general elections held on 8 October, a total of seven parties passed the required threshold to be represented in Parliament. All 60 seats of the Chamber of Deputies, Luxembourg’s unicameral legislature, were contested. The opposition Christian Social Party (CSV) won the greatest vote share (29.2 per cent), securing 21 seats in the legislature. Ruling coalition members, the Democratic Party (DP) and the Socialist party (LSAP), followed behind with 18.7 per cent (14 seats) and with 18.91 per cent of the vote (11 seats) respectively. The conservative Reformist Democratic Alternative party (ADR) secured 9.3 per cent of the vote and 5 seats. There were 278 female candidates (42.8 per cent of the total 649 candidates), and women will make up just under a third of deputies in Parliament. Voter turnout was 87 per cent, and voting is mandatory.

Legislative amendments were approved to comply with planned constitutional changes, which entered into force on 1 July 2023. The amendments expand voting rights for people with disabilities, allowing adults under guardianship (previously excluded from the right to vote) to participate in local, legislative and European Parliament elections. The changes also make it possible for these citizens, as well as voters with mental deficiencies, to be accompanied in the voting booth, previously only possible for physically infirm or visually impaired citizens. Separately, the law on parliamentary inquiries was adapted to account for constitutional amendments allowing a commission of inquiry to be established at the request of one third of deputies, geared towards anticipating problems the commissions may encounter in practice. A third law was approved to govern the Chamber of Deputies’ processing of legislative initiatives proposed by citizens, a right granted by the revised constitution.

Sources: Chamber of Deputies (1), Chamber of Deputies (2), Chamber of Deputies (3), Chamber of Deputies (4), Chamber of Deputies (5), Chamber of Deputies (6), Luxembourg Times

On 11 June, Luxembourg held local elections to elect municipal councillors, aldermen and mayors, which occur every six years. The Democratic Party (DP) held on to its majority in Luxembourg City and increased its vote share from 18.2 per cent to 20.6 per cent across the country compared to the 2017 local elections. The Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) won the greatest share of votes (26 per cent), followed by the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP) who won 21.3 per cent of the vote. It was the first time foreign residents were able to vote in local elections immediately after moving to Luxembourg following the 2022 electoral reforms, which removed requirements to reside in Luxembourg for five years in order to access the vote. A total of 50,093 foreign voters registered for the elections, aided by information and awareness raising campaigns. 61 per cent of the candidates were male and 39 per cent were female (compared to 36 per cent for the latter in 2017).

Sources: Luxembourg Times, ALDE Party, Delano (1), Delano (2), Official elections website of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (1), Official elections website of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (2)

Lawmakers voted to approve four proposals to amend the constitution by a large majority. The constitutional amendments were originally tabled in 2009 and were subsequently divided into four chapters covering judicial independence; organisation of the state, the monarchy, the government and religious communities; rights and freedoms (extending from the right to personal integrity to the right of asylum); and the Parliament and the Council of State. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel hailed the amendments as a significant step towards updating and modernising the constitution. The new constitution is planned to come into force in the summer of 2023. The reforms would reflect the reduced role of the Grand Duke, which is today largely ceremonial, in Luxembourg’s institutional practice, and seeks to strengthen parliamentary oversight mechanisms and reinforce judicial independence.

Sources: Delano, RTL