Expats have their say about the 2013 elections

(CS) Ahead of the parliamentary crisis earlier this year, many politicians started talking about voting rights for non-nationals. The debate developed on the sidelines of a new law that is set to make it easier for foreigners to gain Luxembourg citizenship.

For Mikkel Strørup and Lisa van Laarhoven, who are both politically active in the Grand Duchy, a key issue, however, is the separation of the debate about the right to vote and naturalisation. Expats in Luxembourg can want a political voice, without choosing to want to become a national, they argue.

But expats don't just feel excluded from the upcoming elections because they cannot vote. Lisa McLean, Managing Director of Ara City Radio, and Jim Kent, The INsiders Managing Partner, explained to wort.lu why they feel passed over by the campaigns.

The issue is sensitive, and Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce Paul Schonenberg, said it is important to establish trust between locals and foreigners. Together with the Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce John Johnston, he wants to see Luxembourg's economy back on track, with both bringing an international perspective to the issue.

Despite what may be called similar professional backgrounds, however, both have different ideas about voting rights in the Grand Duchy. Crucially, Johnston's suggestion to grant the right to vote to Europeans, who can move freely within the EU and make up the vast majority of non-nationals in Luxembourg, would still leave Schonenberg excluded.

Luxembourg's political parties are split on the issue. Several of the smaller parties (KPL and PID) have not included the question in their election programmes. The LSAP wants to “progressively extend voting rights for non-nationals”, while the DP calls for a broad discussion, respectful of Luxembourg nationals, without actually taking a firm position.

The CSV is against extending voting rights, but argues for easier access to citizenship, while “déi Gréng” argue for mandatory voting once a non-national has lived in Luxembourg for over five years. For the Pirate Party, one year of residence is enough, and “déi Lénk” support voting rights for non-nationals, saying the issue needs to be separated from the naturalisation debate. The ADR is against extending voting rights.

Earlier this week, the CGFP, a union for public sector workers, called on the next government to put the issue to a vote in a referendum with a simple “yes” or “no” question.

However, looking at the election programmes and hearing the thoughts of expats in Luxembourg, one thing is clear – the issue whether foreigners should be allowed to vote in general elections is not as clear-cut as that.

Ultimately, it will be up to the Luxembourg nationals to decide, with Sunday's elections one step forward in what could be a debate for years to come.