As part of the DP’s series of public discussion evenings across the country, the Eastern District invited residents to the Bierger- a Kulturhaus in Mondorf-les-Bains on Tuesday, 27 October 2026. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Xavier Bettel, Minister of the Economy Lex Delles, party president and MP-Mayor Carole Hartmann, and parliamentary group leader Gilles Baum answered questions from the public. The evening was moderated by Hugo Da Costa from the Young Democrats.
Taking people’s concerns seriously, listening and providing answers. For Xavier Bettel, engaging directly with citizens is essential, particularly at a time when extremist political tendencies are on the rise.
“We must not seek to convince through the power of the strongest, but through the strength of our arguments. And that will always remain our guiding principle: respecting your right to hold a different opinion, while also trying to convince you.” – Xavier Bettel
Protecting Purchasing Power, Strengthening Independence
Lex Delles highlighted the tripartite system as one of the strengths of the Luxembourg model. The government, employers and trade unions work together to find solutions that help households and businesses navigate difficult times. Support measures for energy costs are designed to cushion the impact of rising prices and preserve purchasing power. This year alone, the government is investing €150 million to cover electricity grid costs.
At the same time, Luxembourg must reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. Expanding solar, wind and hydropower, improving the interconnection of European electricity grids and developing energy storage capacities would enable the country to manage its energy supply more independently. People must also have the opportunity to participate in the energy transition. Measures such as advance financing of subsidies should ensure that participation does not depend on personal financial means.
For Lex Delles, small and medium-sized enterprises play a central role in employment and innovation. Luxembourg must provide businesses with a reliable framework and help them systematically develop their strengths. As examples, the Minister of the Economy and Energy cited the Space Campus, with its testing infrastructure and incubator for start-ups, as well as autonomous driving and investments in supercomputers.
A question from the audience addressed the shortage of skilled workers. The minister identified three priorities: training talent locally, retaining skilled professionals and specifically attracting additional expertise. However, this is by no means limited to highly specialised technology professions.
“Electricians are in particularly short supply in Luxembourg. Mechanics and mechatronics technicians are also professions in which we have far more vacancies than we can fill through our own training programmes or recruitment efforts.” – Lex Delles
Working conditions for businesses were also discussed. Responding to a question about winegrowers and seasonal employment, Carole Hartmann advocated for more guidance and prevention from the Labour and Mines Inspectorate (ITM). Labour law must apply to every business. At the same time, small and medium-sized enterprises need practical support. More flexible working hours should be possible by agreement between employees and employers, without anyone being forced to work longer hours.
Making Housing and Healthcare More Accessible
Gilles Baum emphasised the social and economic importance of housing construction. Government property purchase programmes help bring projects to fruition and expand the stock of publicly owned housing. In addition, financial assistance for buyers, tenants and investors supports the housing market.
For tenants, he highlighted measures including the sharing of estate agency fees, the limitation of rental deposits to two months’ rent and rent subsidies. Too many eligible people still fail to apply for these benefits. Access must therefore be made easier.
Carole Hartmann called for healthcare services that are more accessible to patients and available more quickly. Alongside strong hospitals, more facilities are needed for diagnostic examinations and certain treatments in doctors’ practices and outpatient centres. This is particularly important for towns and villages in the east of the country. More decentralised services should reduce travel distances and waiting times.
More Freedom and Greater Support for Families
For Carole Hartmann, the unified tax class, which will be introduced on 1 January 2028, is above all a matter of fairness and personal freedom. Taxation should no longer depend on marital status. Whether married, single or facing a major change in life circumstances, everyone should be treated according to the same rules, while the progressive income tax scale would be maintained.
The tax reform would be accompanied by stronger support for families. Children from households that do not pay income tax must also benefit from family policy. The increase in child benefits, additional assistance for low-income families and the reform of the childcare voucher scheme would complement one another.
“People should not be judged for tax purposes based on their personal circumstances. Likewise, support for children must genuinely reach everyone. That is why we, as the DP, believe that tax policy and family policy should be kept separate.” – Carole Hartmann
In this context, Gilles Baum highlighted the action plan to combat poverty and simplify social benefits. By combining these forms of assistance, a single application should be sufficient, and support should continue for as long as the eligibility criteria are met.
“Support must reach those who need it. One example: only 27% of people entitled to rent subsidies actually apply for them.” – Gilles Baum
Solidarity Beyond Borders
Responding to a question about the war in Ukraine, Xavier Bettel made it clear that economic difficulties must not lead to a reduction in solidarity. He referred to Luxembourg’s history as an example.
“I simply want to remind everyone that we have a cemetery in Hamm with 3,000 young people who died for my freedom. You do not have to be neighbours to stand up for the rule of law. A small country like Luxembourg can only survive if international law is respected.” – Xavier Bettel
At the same time, Luxembourg’s chief diplomat emphasised the importance of dialogue. He would welcome any diplomatic initiative that brings a ceasefire and peace closer. Above all, it is about the people of Ukraine and their opportunity to live in freedom and security.
