Freedom in the World 1998 - Luxembourg

1998 Scores

Status: Free
Freedom Rating: 1.0
Civil Liberties: 1
Political Rights: 1

Overview

Luxembourg, one of the first countries to meet the 1992 Maastricht Treaty's criteria for participation, remains on course for membership in the European Monetary Union. A positive GDP growth rate and the lowest rate of unemployment in the European Union have enabled Luxembourg to fare significantly better economically than its neighbors.

Luxembourg's multiparty electoral system is based on proportional representation. In recent years, it has been ruled by coalition governments led by the Christian Social Party (PCS) or the Democratic Party in alliance either with each other or with the Socialist Workers' Party. The current coalition government is headed by Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker of the PCS. Executive authority is exercised by the prime minister and the cabinet on behalf of the Grand Duke. The government is appointed by the sovereign, but is responsible to the legislature. In March, Grand Duke Jean appointed his eldest son Henri as Lieutenant Representant. Henri gradually will assume the Duke's constitutional duties.

After centuries of domination and occupation by foreign powers, the small landlocked Grand Duchy of Luxembourg was recognized as an autonomous, neutral state in 1867. It came under the current ruling house of Nassau-Weilbourg in 1890 and formed an economic union with Belgium in 1922, but retains independent political institutions through its 1868 constitution. After occupation by Germany during both world wars, Luxembourg abandoned its neutrality and became a vocal proponent of European integration.

Political Rights and Civil Liberties

Luxembourgers can change their government democratically. Voting is compulsory for citizens, and foreigners may register to vote after five years of residence. The prime minister is the leader of the dominant party in the Chamber of Deputies, for which popular elections are held every five years. The Grand Duke appoints the 21 members of the Council of State, which serves as an advisory body to the Chamber.

The independent judiciary is headed by the Superior Court of Justice and includes a Court of Assizes for serious criminal offenses as well as two district courts and three justices of the peace. Judges are appointed for life by the Grand Duke. In response to a 1995 decision by the European Court of Human Rights, the government passed legislation establishing an administrative court system contending that Luxembourg's Council of State could no longer serve as both a legislative advisory body and as an administrative court. This dual role was seen as a violation of the right to a fair trial. The new administrative courts began operations in 1997.

Luxembourg enjoys a vibrant free press. All news media are privately owned and free of censorship. While there is no domestic news agency, a number of foreign bureaus operate. Radio and television broadcasts from neighboring countries are available.

Religious freedom is respected in this predominantly Roman Catholic country. There is no state religion, but the state pays the salaries of Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish clergy, and several local governments subsidize sectarian religious facilities.

Although foreigners constitute more than 30 percent of the population, anti-foreigner incidents are infrequent. European Union (EU) citizens who reside in Luxembourg enjoy the right to vote and to run in municipal elections. Minimum residency requirements are six years for voters and 12 years for candidates. Freedom of association is respected, and unions operate without governmental interference. Approximately 65 percent of the labor force is unionized. Workers are organized in two competing labor federations which are affiliated with the Socialist and Christian Social parties. The right to strike is constitutionally guaranteed. In July, public sector workers exercised this right in a one-day strike.