The CSV New Year's drinks took place at the "Am Sand" cultural centre in Niederanven. CSV remains the strongest party in Luxembourg but was forced to spend this legislative period on the side lines as main opposition party. 2019 was not necessarily an easy year for the party, which experienced a number of internal problems. The party reshuffled after a disappointing election and opinions about the restructuring were polarised.
CSV President Frank Engel referred to the very positive outcome of the recent survey and stressed that his party was well-prepared and able to weather the coming years full of elan. He added that this was not the case for the other major parties. He also argued that they were the ones to address and work on current issues, unlike the government.
Generally speaking, the members of CSV showed themselves confident and believed that they have embarked on the right path with the right leadership. CSV President Martine Hansen stressed that they would continue to be outspoken about the government's shortcomings.
CSV also hope to reconnect with with the working classes - a goal that former Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker later welcomed in an interview with RTL. Jacques Santer similarly applauded this resolution and explained that the party had used the same modus operandi when he led the opposition party five years ago.
The party named housing, mobility, education and climate as priorities. Frank Engel mentioned hydrogen technologies as an avenue to pursue - even though, as he claimed, the minister for energy had different ideas.
Minister of Economy Etienne Schneider was also criticised on Thursday evening. CSV politicians criticised his decision to step down in times when country and inhabitants want answers to their questions. They added that they would now tackle those questions instead.
The national CSV congress will take place on 25 April.
Video in Luxembourgish
