Political institutions, functioning of the state

From a political point of view, Luxembourg is a sovereign and independent state. The Luxembourg political system is based on parliamentary democracy in the form of a constitutional monarchy. The crown is hereditary within the Nassau-Weilburg family.

The national holiday is June 23, the symbolic birthday of the Grand Duke.

Legislative power in Luxembourg

Legislative power is shared between the Chamber of Deputies, the government, and the Council of State.

The Chamber of Deputies debates and votes on laws

The Chamber of Deputies debates and votes on laws in Luxembourg. It can also propose laws. The parliamentary committee for budgetary control, chaired by a member of the opposition, has the right to oversee the management of the state.

There are 60 deputies. They are elected for five years by universal suffrage, using proportional representation.

The last legislative elections were held on Sunday, October 8, 2023.

The political parties represented in the current assembly are:

Christian Social People's Party (CSV - Chrëschtlech-Sozial Vollekspartei)

The CSV holds 21 seats. Historically , almost all of Luxembourg's prime ministers have come from the CSV. Luc Frieden currently holds the position of Prime Minister.

Gaston Thorn (1974-1979) and Xavier Bettel (2013-2023) are exceptions to the rule. They both come from the DP (Demokratische Partei).
Jean-Claude Juncker, CSV, was Prime Minister of Luxembourg from 1995 to 2013. He left his post to become President of the European Commission from 2014 to 2019.
The CSV is close to the Republicans in France and the CDU in Germany.

Democratic Party (DP - Demokratesch Partei)

The DP holds 14 seats, two more than in the previous assembly. The DP is a centrist party with a liberal leaning. The DP is a member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe. Xavier Bettel, former Prime Minister from 2013 to 2023, is a member of this party.

Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP - Lëtzebuerger Sozialistesch Aarbechterpartei)

11 seats, one more seat than in the previous assembly. The LSAP (Lëtzebuerger Sozialistesch Aarbechterpartei) participated in coalition governments in 1974-1979 and during Xavier Bettel's governments from 2013 to 2023. The LSAP is a member of the Party of European Socialists.

Paulette Lenert, former Minister of Health during the coronavirus crisis, was the LSAP's lead candidate.

The Greens (déi gréng)

4 seats (-5 seats). The Green Party was in power for the first time in Xavier Bettel's coalition government from 2013 to 2023 in the form of the "Gambia I and II" governments.

The Greens were represented by the national lead candidate Sam Tanson, former Minister of Justice.

Alternativ Demokratesch Reformpartei (ADR)

5 seats (+1). The ADR is a conservative party with populist tendencies. It is a member of the Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists.

déi Lénk

2 seats (0). Member of the Party of the European Left.

Pirate Party - Piratepartei Lëtzebuerg

3 seats (+1). This party is in line with other European Pirate parties. It advocates democracy through government transparency and civil rights.

The Luxembourg government, right of legislative initiative

The government has the right of legislative initiative through draft legislation.

The Council of State issues its opinion on laws

The Council of State is composed of 21 members. They are appointed and dismissed by the Grand Duke, based on proposals made alternately by the government, the Chamber of Deputies, and the Council of State.

It gives its opinion on bills and proposed laws presented to the Chamber prior to the vote by deputies. In particular, it examines the conformity of the texts with the Constitution, various international conventions, and general principles of law.

Executive power in Luxembourg

Executive power is exercised jointly by the Grand Duke and the government.

The Grand Duke, Head of State of Luxembourg

The Grand Duke is the Head of State. His person is inviolable and he cannot be held liable. He cannot be accused or prosecuted.
He promulgates laws in the collection of legislation known as the Mémorial. Laws are countersigned by the minister responsible for the relevant ministerial portfolio. Any act bearing the Grand Duke's signature must first be submitted to the Council of Government for deliberation.

Grand Duke Guillaume has been the current Head of State of Luxembourg since his father's abdication on October 3, 2025. They are part of the Nassau-Weilburg dynasty.

The Luxembourg government

Parliamentary elections are held every five years. Following the elections, the Grand Duke appoints an informateur from the majority party. The informateur proposes a government to the Head of State. In practice, the informateur often becomes Prime Minister and Head of Government. He or she is appointed by the Grand Duke.

The government is made up of several ministers. They are appointed by the Grand Duke, based on the Prime Minister's proposals.

The government is responsible for drafting legislation. Each minister is assigned one or more ministries.

The current government in Luxembourg

The current government is a coalition government. It is formed by the CSV (Chrëschtlech-Sozial Vollekspartei) and the DP (Demokratische Partei).

Members of the Frieden government

Since 2023, the Prime Minister has been Luc Frieden, a member of the CSV (Chrëschtlech-Sozial Vollekspartei). He is also Minister of State.

• Xavier Bettel (DP), Deputy Prime Minister. He is also Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Foreign Trade, Minister of Development Cooperation, and Minister of the Greater Region. He remained Prime Minister from 2013 to 2023.
• Yuriko Backes (DP): Minister of Defense, Minister of Gender Equality and Diversity, Minister of Mobility and Public Works
• Elisabeth Margue (CSV): Minister of Justice, Minister Delegate for Relations with Parliament, Minister Delegate for Media and Communications
• Max Hahn (DP): Minister for Family, Solidarity, and Living Together, Minister for Reception
• Gilles Roth (CSV): Minister of Finance
• Lux Delles (DP): Minister of Economy, Minister of Energy, Minister of Tourism, Minister of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
• Martine Hansen (CSV): Minister for Agriculture, Food, and Viticulture
• Claude Meisch (DP): Minister of National Education, Children and Youth, Minister of Housing, Minister of Spatial Planning
• Serge Wilmes (CSV): Minister of the Environment, Climate, and Biodiversity, Minister of the Civil Service
• Eric Thill (DP): Minister of Culture, Minister Delegate for Tourism
• Léon Gloden (CSV): Minister for Home Affairs
• Stéphanie Obertin (DP): Minister for Digitalization, Minister for Higher Education and Research
• Georges Mischo (CSV): Minister of Sports, Minister of Labor
• Martine Deprez (CSV): Minister of Health, Minister of Social Security

See the electoral system of the Chamber of Deputies and Municipalities.

Independence of the judiciary

The judiciary is completely independent in Luxembourg. The courts and tribunals are responsible for exercising judicial power under the Constitution.

Members of the Public Prosecutor's Office are headed by the Attorney General.

Constitutional Court: conformity of laws with the Constitution

It is composed of nine members and sits in Luxembourg. It rules on the conformity of laws with the Constitution.

Justices of the peace: first level of the judicial system

These courts constitute the first level of the judicial system. They are located in Luxembourg, Diekirch, and Esch-sur-Alzette.

They have jurisdiction over civil and commercial cases of minor importance, provided that the amount in dispute does not exceed €10,000 and, in the final instance, up to €750.

Justices of the peace also have jurisdiction over rental leases and wage garnishments, regardless of the amounts involved.

District courts: civil and commercial matters

The district courts sit in Luxembourg and Diekirch and have jurisdiction in civil and commercial matters for all cases not assigned to another court.

Criminal cases involving imprisonment of at least eight days or fines of more than €250 are also dealt with by the district courts. These courts also have jurisdiction over criminal cases involving life imprisonment or imprisonment of more than five years.

Appeals in cases heard by magistrates' courts where the amount in dispute exceeds €750 are assigned to the district courts.

In divorce cases, family court judges sit in the district courts. There are 14 in Luxembourg and 3 in Diekirch, and in principle they are the sole judges.

The Youth and Guardianship Court hears cases relating to youth protection.

Luxembourg Superior Court of Justice

It is composed of a Court of Cassation and a Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal hears appeals in civil and commercial cases, particularly those decided by the district courts.

The Court of Cassation hears cases involving the annulment or cassation of the Court of Appeal's decisions.