Speaking on RTL Radio on Thursday, Taina Bofferding, leader of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP) parliamentary group, has welcomed the government's decision to convene a national tripartite meeting in response to the war in Iran and its economic consequences.
She was, however, candid about the delay and highlighted how the previous government responded more quickly to the Ukraine war in 2022 than the current response to the Iran crisis.
"We have been calling for the tripartite for a while. It took some pressure, but in the end it is good that the partners are finally coming together," she said, describing the resumption of social dialogue as a first important step, hopeful that all sides would approach the process in a spirit of cooperation.
On the substance of what the tripartite should deliver, Bofferding called for a targeted approach rather than across-the-board relief measures.
Drawing on the experience of the energy crisis that followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine four years ago, she pointed to the measures introduced at the time by the then DP-LSAP-Green coalition government, which partially covered network costs, adjusted financial aid, temporarily compensated businesses for labour cost indexation, and introduced a phased tax credit.
A similar toolkit, she argued, should now be revisited and applied where it is most needed. Blanket support for the entire country is not what she is calling for; the priority must be those facing the greatest hardship.
With 1 May approaching and both the Independent Luxembourg Trade Union Confederation (OGBL) and the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB) preparing to put the government under pressure, Bofferding struck a note of solidarity. "It is important that we all pull together now and look at how to get through these crises", she said.
While she acknowledged that governments cannot be expected to reveal the details of discussions with social partners in advance, she was clear that she hopes the minimum wage and housing will be on the agenda. She also cautioned against paralysis, noting with concern that Housing Minister Claude Meisch had reportedly suggested in a parliamentary committee that further studies were needed before any action could be taken.
On the minimum wage, the LSAP's position is unambiguous: the government's decision to limit itself to maintaining indexation and adjusting for wage growth is not enough. Bofferding recalled that previous tripartite meetings had produced concrete results, including compensation measures for small businesses. "Everything is possible," she said. "The important thing is that the political will is there to increase the minimum wage."
Bofferding also confirmed the LSAP's support for a windfall tax on companies that have profited from recent price surges, noting that other European countries have already raised the issue with the European Commission. "Now is the right moment to discuss this", she said, expressing regret that the current government has not engaged with calls for a coordinated European response, and arguing that the proceeds of such a tax could be channelled into further relief measures.
On internal party matters, Bofferding spoke briefly about Paulette Lenert's move to the Council of State, describing it as a personal decision and thanking Lenert warmly for the experience and expertise she had brought to the parliamentary group. Looking ahead, she was upbeat about the party's direction, pointing to a strong mix of experienced and committed members shaping its future. "I am very confident about what lies ahead," she said.
Asked about a possible political comeback by Lenert ahead of the next elections remains open, Bofferding said it was still too early to comment.
She stressed that decisions on the lead candidate and the composition of the electoral lists would be taken at a later stage, concluding that such matters would not be discussed at this point, particularly not during a radio interview.
