Bettel–Schneider Ministry I

The First Bettel–Schneider Ministry (or Bettel–Schneider Ministry I) was the ruling government of Luxembourg from 4 December 2013 to 5 December 2018. It was led by Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and Deputy Prime Minister Étienne Schneider. It was formed on 4 December 2013, after the 2013 election to the Chamber of Deputies. The government was a traffic light coalition between the Democratic Party (DP), the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP), and The Greens. It was succeeded by Bettel–Schneider Ministry II in December 2018.

Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister

Étienne Schneider, Deputy Prime Minister

Formation

Until 2013, Luxembourg was governed by a CSV–LSAP coalition under Jean-Claude Juncker. After concerns over political oversight of the intelligence agency of Luxembourg, the Service de Renseignement de l'État, the LSAP withdrew its support from the government. Juncker then resigned as prime minister on 11 July 2013 and asked the Grand-Duke to dissolve the Chamber of Deputies and call an election.[1] In the election held on 20 October 2013, the CSV lost some seats but still remained as the largest party in parliament, though without a majority of seats. However, representatives of the DP, LSAP and the Greens agreed to form a government on election night, after the results had been announced.[2] Coalition talks started within a few days, and the coalition agreement was announced one and a half months later, and the new government was sworn in on 4 December 2013.[2] This was only the second government since 1945 that did not involve the CSV.[2] It was also the first time the Greens were involved in government. The three parties had a majority of 32 seats out of 60 in the Chamber of Deputies. Due to the colours associated with the 3 parties (red, blue and green) the arrangement was known as a "Gambia coalition" among some commentators, as it reflected that country's flag.

Overview

In general, the government had two main priorities, curbing the budget deficit, and in the area of social policy.[2] In terms of the former, the government raised the basic rate of VAT from 15 to 17 percent from 1 January 2015.[3]

Same-sex marriage was made legal from 1 January 2015.

On 11 September 2014 the Deputy Prime Minister Etienne Schneider announced plans to introduce a church tax, payable only by members of religious congregations; the churches would then have to pay their clergy's salaries themselves. This would have replaced the system of the clergy being paid by the state.[4]

From November 2014, the government had to deal with the LuxLeaks scandal.

On 7 June 2015, the government held a constitutional referendum, asking, amongst other things, whether residents of Luxembourg without Luxembourgish nationality should be allowed to vote in national elections. While all 3 parties in the government coalition campaigned for a "Yes" vote, the result was an overwhelming "No".

Composition

Name[5]		Party	Office
	Xavier Bettel	DP	Prime Minister Minister of State Minister of Communications and the Media Minister of Religious Affairs Minister of Culture
	Etienne Schneider	LSAP	Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Defence Minister of the Economy Minister of Internal Security
	Jean Asselborn	LSAP	Minister of Foreign Affairs Minister of Immigration and Asylum
	Félix Braz	DG	Minister of Justice
	Nicolas Schmit	LSAP	Minister of Employment
	Romain Schneider	LSAP	Minister of Cooperation and Humanitarian Action Minister of Social Affairs Minister of Sports
	François Bausch	DG	Minister of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure
	Fernand Etgen	DP	Minister of Agriculture, Viticulture, and Consumer Protection
	Marc Hansen	DP	Minister of Housing
	Pierre Gramegna	DP	Minister of Finance
	Lydia Mutsch	LSAP	Minister of Equal Opportunities Minister of Health
	Daniel Kersch	LSAP	Minister of the Interior Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reform
	Claude Meisch	DP	Minister of Children and Youth Minister of Higher Education and Research Minister of National Education
	Corinne Cahen	DP	Minister of Family and Integration
	Carole Dieschbourg	DG	Minister of the Environment

Secretaries of State:

Name		Party	Office
	Camille Gira	DG	Secretary of State for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure
	Francine Closener	LSAP	Secretary of State for the Economy Secretary of State for Internal Security Secretary of State for Defence
	Marc Hansen	DP	Secretary of State for Children and Youth Secretary of State for Higher Education and Research Secretary of State for Housing

On 16 December 2015, Maggy Nagel resigned as Minister for Housing and Minister for Culture.[6] Xavier Bettel announced that he would take over as Minister for Culture, while Marc Hansen, hitherto a Secretary of State, would be made Minister for Housing.[6]

References

1. "Luxembourg PM Juncker offers government resignation". BBC News. 11 July 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
2. Bumb, Christoph (4 December 2015). "Zwei Jahre Blau-Rot-Grün: Von Macht, Reformen und Ernüchterung". Luxemburger Wort (in German). Retrieved 20 December 2015.
3. "Luxemburg erhöht ab 1.1.2015 die Mehrwertsteuer". business-on.de (in German). 12 December 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
4. "Etienne Schneider: Priester-Gehälter nicht mehr vom Staat". Luxemburger Wort (in German). 11 September 2014. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
5. Le gouvernement du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg (PDF). Service information et presse. 2014. ISBN 978-2-87999-247-1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
6. "Et le nouveau ministre de la culture est: Xavier Bettel". Luxemburger Wort (in French). 16 December 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2015.