The second chapter of the constitutional reform, which focuses on the Grand Duke and the monarchy, is designed to strengthen the national identity, say the four reporters in charge of revising the document. Here’s a short overview of what’s changing.
When it comes to matters of national identity, the current constitution is low on specifics. It fails to secure the position of the Luxembourgish language, the country’s flag, as well as the national anthem.
According to MP Léon Gloden from the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV), the reform is set to change this issue: “It is an important step. It will be the first time since 1868 that the constitution states these three central components of a national identity. So, to people who say we are selling out our identity, I say you are wrong! We are reinforcing it.”
However, both the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR) and the Left have criticised the revision of the constitution and thus worked out their own version, which proposes more drastic changes that are considerably less favourable to the monarchy.
Mars Di Bartolomeo from the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP) still believes that the second chapter can reach a wide ranging consensus: “It is not a revolution, but an evolution.”
The attempt of modernisation also redefines the role of the Grand Duke. MP Simone Beissel from the Democratic Party (DP) commented: “At the moment, the constitution still mentions the Grand Duke across all sorts of roles.”
Thus far, much of what the Grand Duke’s role entails has been stated in the Nassau family pact. Now, the dispositions are to be included in the country’s constitution. Di Bartolomeo elaborated: “It is a good thing that we are doing it, because all matters concerning the government should be in the hands of elected officials and not those of the Grand Ducal family.”
The Greens’ MP Charles Margue also commented on the changes in the second chapter: “We are both Luxembourgish and European at the same time. We are trilingual and function with the help of all three languages, something that will now be clearly reflected in our constitution.”
All four reporters agree that considerable efforts will be necessary to explain the exact contents of the chapter to the population and have everyone support the amendments. To that end, officials will launch an information campaign, announced Chamber President Fernand Etgen. Every household will receive a brochure with explanations about the reform in three languages.
The first chapter of the constitutional reform was accepted with a considerable majority of votes in the first round. The second round is scheduled for this year. Meanwhile, the Chamber will take a vote on the second chapter of the constitutional reform on 25 January.
