MPs call for more Luxembourgish courses

(CS) Luxembourg MPs on Tuesday afternoon debated the outcome of Sunday's referendum, with many calling for an increase in the offer of Luxembourgish courses for the international community in the country.

On the whole, Tuesday's debate reflected opinions already heard by the country's political parties and the government on Sunday evening and Monday.

The CSV's head of faction Claude Wiseler commented that the referendum had led to a rift between the Luxembourg population and non-nationals, saying that the atmosphere was tense. “The people in the country are divided,” he said.

His statements on a broken society were echoed by opposition party ADR. “After 18 months in power, the coalition has broken more than the previous generations were able to build,” Gast Gibéryen said.

Both also alluded to the fact that the government should take responsibility for this defeat and resign.

'The country is not divided'

Prime Minister Xavier Bettel fired back saying: “The country is not divided and is not a pile of debris,” he said. He said that the vote had been clear and the result would be accepted. However, he also stated that the vote had not been a vote against the government.

The Premier defended holding a referendum, saying it was important to involve people and discuss issues in the open and not behind closed doors. Speakers for the DP and déi Gréng sided with the head of government, arguing that holding a referendum had been the right choice.

The LSAP's Alex Bodry meanwhile admitted a political defeat, but added: “I do not share this apocalyptic vision of the country.” If there are cracks in the society now, they were also there before the referendum, he said.

“We are in need of a plan to better live together, peaceful coexistence, and have an intercultural exchange between communities,” Bodry said, explaining that there is no one big solution to the issue but smaller initiatives to carry out.

Free Luxembourgish courses proposed

Bodry also raised a different issue – the Luxembourgish language as a tool of integration. “We need to offer more courses and courses more adapted to foreigners,” he said.

David Wagner of Déi Lénk agreed, saying that learning a language is an effort. Non-nationals need to be given the right tool to achieve this task, the left politician said. However, Wagner also commented that despite Sunday's vote and its clear rejection of foreigner voting rights, the problem of the democratic deficit remains fully intact.

On language, the ADR added: “We should offer free courses across the country,” calling for more investments.

With reporting by Maurice Fick and Christoph Bumb