What if, in 20 years time, only 20% of the population had the right to vote, who could pretend we live in a genuine democracy?

Luxembourg society is a fragmented society. Cleavages have appeared at various places and social cohesion is under threat. Two parallel worlds, whose coexistence is becoming problematic, have emerged in our country. The interests of one milieu, of one class are above the interests of others. The political world confuses general interest with vested interests and this cannot go on. The most prominent cleavage exists between Luxembourg nationals and non-nationals. The manifestation of this cleavage can be found in the political system and in the organisation of the country. It is time to bring these worlds together in order to build a more just and inclusive society. In order to achieve this new social contract, we need a change of mentalities. Otherwise, our next generations will inherit a society in which a minority of privileged oppresses a majority of citizens without a voice.

A minority of the population

Demographic reality reveals the problems to come. Indeed, from a population of 500,000, our country counts 280,000 Luxembourg nationals, 225,000 of which are voters. The proportion of voters in our population will continuously decrease over the coming years as a result of our demographic development and migration. Over the years, our political system will lose its legitimacy because it will no longer be democratically representative. Future mandate-holders will be designated by a minority of the population and the term popular vote will become a farce. This is why we plead for the active and passive right to vote for all EU nationals residing in our country. The opening of the right to vote for local and European elections has been a good start. But the important decisions about the future of our country are made by the Government elected in the framework of a general parliamentary election. Thereby, governments will be truly representative and legitimate. The vast majority of society will be represented in the democratic process and will be taken account of in the political debate. Political parties will be forced to open up and let in new ideas. A more inclusive society will become possible.

17% of the private economy

Exclusion is not only a problem in the political system. In the economy of our country, the division created between the public and private sectors is a source for concern. Indeed, in the civil service, Luxembourg nationals account for the near entirety of staff adding up to 50,000 people. As the private economy accounts for 30% of Luxembourg nationals and 30% of non-nationals, Luxembourgers only account for 17% of the total economy. This state of affairs is unhealthy for a number of reasons. First of all, society as a whole suffers. This fragmentation brings about feelings of jealousy, distrust and misunderstanding of one another. Due to the current composition of the electorate, the political class is forced to choose sides in order stand a chance of re-election. The interests of a large part of the population and of the economy are less and less taken into account. This is why the economy is the second victim of this reality. Its preoccupations being degraded to the background, it doesn’t manage to attract the best national talents towards its businesses. The wage differential between the public and the private sectors accounts for a lot. Companies are confronted with international competition and cannot hire under the same conditions. Luxembourgers do not benefit from that situation. As they are more and more distant from the private sector, they no longer participate to the creation of wealth of the country. This alienation is problematic considering the future challenges our country will have to face. Changes are only possible if reality is the same for everyone. The solution to this fragmentation is opening. We have to open up access to the civil service to all EU nationals residing in our country. Some exceptions, like tasks related to the exercise of public powers and functions related to the safeguarding of the general interest of the State, are allowed but should be clearly defined. If cultural diversity and multi-ethnicity benefit the private sector, the time has come to allow the public sector to take advantage as well.

Mutual benefits

The benefits of this opening of the political and economic systems will be mutual. On one hand, non-Luxembourgers will be more involved in the social and political life of the country, which is a substantial incentive to integrate. On their side, Luxembourgers will be more open to the ideas of their fellow citizens and will be more involved in the creation of wealth. The economy will profit from a greater involvement of Luxembourgers. It can also expect to attract a greater number of foreign talents, who will have a new incentive to settle down in Luxembourg. The greatest beneficiary will be the country as a whole, as these artificially fabricated cleavages will disappear and different groups will start working together to the benefit of the next generations.