The ADR does not want a "diktat" from Brussels. The ADR is gearing up for the European elections and at a meeting in Weimerskirch on Thursday, the party's six candidates presented their programme. The party's main demand is to emphasise a Europe made of nations.
Generally, the EU is viewed negatively by people, said candidate Fred Keup. Many mistakes had been made and they need to be corrected.
Keup claimed his party is realistic and understands what is important - namely, completely restructuring the European Union. He called for the EU to return to its past, which was when it was more popular, and become a Europe of nations again.
The party wants to distance itself from right-wing parties like "rassemblement national" or "AFD". The ADR maintained that it is not against the EU, but instead advocates a reformed EU, in which legislation , for instance, would require unanimity in votes. The party condemned the fact that a country could be forced by Brussels to implement decisions that go against its wishes.
An obvious example, according to Gast Gybérien, was the copyright directive: the Luxembourgish minister had voted against it in the Council, but the majority vote dictates that Luxembourg must implement it within two years whether it wants to or not.
Another important topic for the ADR is migration. Fernand Kartheiser stated that the ADR clearly recognises the right to asylum, but that there should be steps taken to avoid the abuse of the asylum system.
Candidate Sylvie Mischel requested a reasonable general policy on climate change, without an emphasis on the wrong points. She pointed out that in both research and industry, it is important to not de-industrialise Europe with the wrong climate policy. Mischel highlighted that decarbonisation should not entail moving industries to different countries, which in turn would lead to job losses at home in Europe.
The party's candidates are Gast Gibéryen, Sylvie Michel, Nicky Stoffel, Tessy Brisbois, Fernand Kartheiser, and Fred Keup. According to secretary general Alex Penning, the candidates are the "Crème de la Crème of the ADR".
On Thursday, there was a minute of silence in honour of the late Grand Duke Jean. Due to the state of national mourning, the ADR cancelled and moved a number of campaign events.
