Political institutions, functioning of the state

Politically speaking, Luxembourg is a sovereign and independent state. The Luxembourgish political system is based on a parliamentary democracy, in the form of a constitutional monarchy. The crown is hereditary within the House of Nassau-Weilburg.

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

Legislative Power in Luxembourg

Legislative power is shared among 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 may also propose laws. The parliamentary committee overseeing budget execution, chaired by an opposition deputy, has oversight authority over the management of the state.

There are 60 members of the Chamber of Deputies. They are elected for five-year terms by universal suffrage using a proportional representation system.

The next legislative elections will take place in 2028.

The political parties represented in the current assembly are:

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

The CSV holds 21 seats. Historically, nearly all of Luxembourg’s prime ministers have come from the CSV. Luc Frieden currently holds the office of Prime Minister.

Jean-Claude Juncker, CSV, served as 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 aligned with the Republicans in France and the CDU in Germany.

Democratic Party (DP - Demokratesch Partei)

The DP holds 14 seats. The DP is a centrist party with a liberal orientation. The DP is a member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.

Gaston Thorn, Prime Minister from 1974 to 1979, and Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister from 2013 to 2023, are both members of the DP (Demokratische Partei).

Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP - Lëtzebuerger Sozialistesch Aarbechterpartei)

11 seats. The LSAP (Lëtzebuerger Sozialistesch Aarbechterpartei) participated in coalition governments from 1974 to 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. The Green Party was in power for the first time as part of Xavier Bettel’s coalition government from 2013 to 2023, under the “Gambie 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. The ADR is a conservative party. It is a member of the Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists.

déi Lénk

2 seats. Member of the Party of the European Left.

Pirate Party - Piratepartei Lëtzebuerg

3 seats. This party follows in the tradition of European Pirate parties. It advocates for democracy through government transparency and civil rights.

The Luxembourg government, right of legislative initiative

The government has the right to initiate legislation through draft bills.

The Council of State issues its opinion on laws

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

The Council of State issues its opinion on draft laws and legislative proposals submitted to the Chamber prior to the deputies’ vote. In particular, it examines the conformity of the texts with the Constitution, various international conventions, and general principles of law.

The Executive Branch 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 portfolio. Any act bearing the Grand Duke’s signature must first be submitted to the Government Council for deliberation.

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

The Luxembourg Government

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

The government consists of several ministers. These 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 (Christian Social People’s Party) and the DP (Democratic Party).

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 for the Greater Region. He served as 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 of Family, Solidarity, and Community Life, Minister of Immigration
• Gilles Roth (CSV): Minister of Finance
• Lux Delles (DP): Minister of the Economy, Minister of Energy, Minister of Tourism, Minister of Small Business
• Martine Hansen (CSV): Minister of 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 of the Interior
• Stéphanie Obertin (DP): Minister of Digitalization, Minister of 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 entrusted by the Constitution with the exercise of judicial power.

Members of the Public Prosecutor’s Office are led by the Attorney General.

Constitutional Court: Constitutionality of Laws

It consists of 9 members and is based in Luxembourg. It rules on the constitutionality of laws.

Justices of the Peace: First Level of the Judicial System

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

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

Justices of the Peace also have jurisdiction over lease agreements and wage garnishments, regardless of the amounts involved.

District Courts: Civil and Commercial Matters

District courts are located in Luxembourg and Diekirch and have jurisdiction over civil and commercial matters for all cases not assigned to another court.

Criminal cases involving imprisonment of at least 8 days or fines exceeding 250 euros also fall under the jurisdiction of the district courts. These courts also have jurisdiction over criminal cases involving life imprisonment or sentences of more than 5 years.

Appeals in cases heard by the magistrates’ courts, where the amount in dispute exceeds 750 euros, 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; in principle, they rule alone.

The Youth and Guardianship Court adjudicates cases involving the protection of minors.

Luxembourg Superior Court of Justice

It consists of a Court of Cassation and a Court of Appeal.

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

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