OGBL, LCGB and CGFP have concluded their meeting with representatives of CSV and DP, who intend to lead the country together until 2028.
Outside, freezing atmosphere. But what would the temperature be like this Monday, October 16 for it First meeting between unions, Luc Frieden the shaper of the next government and the coalition partners CSV and DP? Shortly before noon came the answer: a good listening environment. A clearing recognized by the presidents of LCGBof AND and some CGFP came to discuss social issues with the country’s future leaders.
However, the storm could be feared. Nora Back for OGBL had already launched some lightning bolts: ” When we read the program of the two parties, we are far apart on many issues!»And dark clouds also hovered over the statements of Patrick Dury (LCGB) and Romain Wolff (CGFP), but facing the “New Luc” the famous Luxembourg-style social dialogue seems to have cleared the sky this morning trades.
The health system, accommodationresort to tripartite were some of the topics discussed around the table. Some listen wisely to the limits set by others (“ the red lines », says Nora Back). Following the example of social Christians and liberals’ joint desire to, firstly, refrain don’t touch the 40 hours of work (unlike the LSAP proposal) but clear to aim more flexibility for the employer in planning management.
“Flexibility” versus “Predictability of schedules, this is one of the debates that will drive the next few seasons between now and 2028. With certainly a storm in the air when discussing future adjustments to labor law…
Very complicated situation
But from the discussions, the three main confederations also retained a “sunbeam”. A light has come to shine on the tax issue. Yes, CSV and DP share the same intentionadjust the tax scales (for 2024 the modality is already implemented), but alsoput an end to Class 1A tax (that for single or divorced persons with children).
This promise of tax reform was already included in the previous coalition agreement 2018-2023. But the various crises (Covid, Ukraine, inflation) had prevented the various Bettel governments from putting it in place. Luc Frieden intends to raise the issue of work. But I’m not sure this is the priority at the moment.
After receiving representatives from Statec and the Ministry of Finance, the CSV coach did not hide his concern about ” -one very complicated financial and economic situation “in Luxembourg. There is therefore no longer a question of turning on the taps for state aid or considering reducing public revenues. Especially because the aim is to maintain a triple AAA to attract investors
This national concern will surely also overshadow future negotiations on the pension system. A subject that Luc Frieden once again expressed his fears about in a country where the number of new pensioners increases faster than the number of active people…
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