No comment from Juncker on foreigner voting rights

(CS) European Commission President and former Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker has refused to comment on the upcoming June 7 referendum and the foreigner voting rights question.

Questioned about the issue by the “Luxemburger Wort”, Juncker did not comment, with his press office later issuing a statement that the Commission in principle thinks that it is important “to support the participation of EU citizens in the democratic life of the EU.”

The statement does not, however, address the specific question at hand in Luxembourg.

Before becoming European Commission President, during his brief time as an MP for the CSV last year, Juncker had said that hosting a referendum on the issue would be dangerous as it could start a divisive debate within the country.

His party in Luxembourg, the CSV, is campaigning against foreigner voting rights and instead advocates to make obtaining Luxembourg nationality easier.

'Let Me Vote' campaign

Depending on the outcome of the referendum next month, Luxembourg could become the first EU country to grant voting rights to foreigners in national elections. Currently, only four countries in the world allow non-nationals to cast their ballots in legislative elections – New Zealand, Malawi, Chile and Uruguay.

However, the issue has received little attention outside of the country so far – something that could change under the EU presidency that Luxembourg takes on for half a year from July.

There already is an EU-wide campaign which argues for voting rights in the country of residence of EU citizens, rather than their country of origin. The “Let Me Vote” campaign argues that because of freedom of movement within the EU, voting rights should also be extended accordingly.

Luxembourg MEPs react

Former Justice Commissioner and current MEP for Luxembourg Viviane Reding, however, does not see a direct link between the current debate in Luxembourg and the EU, saying that the issue is outside of the remit of EU legislation.

Fellow CSV MEP Frank Engel on the other hand has commented that the issue of importance to EU as it could mark a step forward in the direction of fully integrated EU citizenship. However, he sees an issue with the fact that all foreigners are addressed in the Luxembourg referendum question and not just EU citizens. Had Luxembourg wanted to bring the issue to the EU table, it would have organised the referendum after the presidency, he added.

Georges Bach, the third CSV MEP, on the other hand sees the projected outcome as an issue. Even if the 'yes' camp would win, it would probably be a narrow victory – a result that cannot be used to advocate for foreigner voting rights elsewhere. Additionally, Bach commented that EU citizenship was a long way off with a single forerunner able to achieve little to further the cause.

Charles Goerens of the DP sees the issue somewhat differently, arguing that Luxembourg could be an “interesting laboratory” and act as an example to inspire others. Goerens added that he hopes for a positive outcome of the vote, saying that openness belongs to Luxembourg's identity.

Goerens was supported by the LSAP's Mady Delvaux-Stehres, who commented that a 'yes' from Luxembourg would be a strong symbol to build something new in the European spirit.

Claude Turmes of “Déi Gréng” also spoke out for foreigner voting rights, saying that the debate needs to be de-dramatised, as it is about people “who have lived in Luxembourg legally for years, work here and pay taxes. In civil society and in the economy they are often important decision-makers,” he commented. Turmes added that granting foreigner voting rights would make Luxembourg democracy more lively. With around 85 percent of Luxembourg's international community hailing from within the EU, the step would necessarily represent a strong signal for more political participation elsewhere in the Union.

Reporting by Diego Velazquez