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1994-05-02
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<text>
<title>
Luxembourg: History
</title>
<article>
<hdr>
Background Notes: Luxembourg
History
</hdr>
<body>
<p> The language of Luxembourg is Luxembourgish, a blend of old
German and Frankish elements. The official language of the civil
service, law, and Parliament is French, although criminal and
legal debates are conducted partly in Luxembourgish. German is
the primary language of the press. French and German are taught
in the schools, with German spoken mainly at the primary level
and French at the secondary level.
</p>
<p> In 1815, after 400 years of domination by various European
nations, Luxembourg was made a grand duchy by the Congress of
Vienna. It was granted political autonomy in 1838 under King
William I of the Netherlands, who was also the Grand Duke of
Luxembourg. The country considers 1839 to be its year of
independence. In 1867, Luxembourg was recognized as independent
and guaranteed perpetual neutrality. After being occupied by
Germany in both World Wars, however, Luxembourg abandoned
neutrality and became a charter member of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949.
</p>
<p> The present sovereign, Grand Duke Jean, succeeded his
mother, Grand Duchess Charlotte, on November 12, 1964.
</p>
<p>Current Political Conditions
</p>
<p> Since the end of World War I, the Christian Social Party
(CSV) has usually been the dominant partner in governing
coalitions. The Roman Catholic-oriented CSV resembles Christian
Democratic parties in other West European countries and enjoys
broad popular support. It strongly supports NATO.
</p>
<p> The Democratic (Liberal) Party (DP) is a center party,
drawing support from the professions, merchants, and urban
middle class. Like other West European liberal parties, it
advocates both social legislation and minimum government
involvement in the economy. It is also strongly pro-NATO. In the
opposition since 1984, the DP had been a partner in the three
previous consecutive coalition governments.
</p>
<p> The Socialist Party (POSL) is philosophically similar to the
German Social Democratic Party. Its political strength is
strongest among industrial workers who favor strong social
legislation. The POSL is moderately pro-NATO.
</p>
<p> The Communist Party (PCL), which received 10%-18% of the
votes in national elections from World War II to the 1960s, won
only two seats in the 1984 elections and one in 1989. Its main
strength lies in the steelbelt of the industrialized south.
</p>
<p> The Green Alternative Party (or "Greens"), officially formed
in 1983, opposes both nuclear weapons and nuclear power and
supports environmental and ecological preservation measures.
This party generally opposes Luxembourg's military policies,
including its membership in NATO.
</p>
<p> In parliamentary elections June 1989, the three major
parties each lost three seats: the CSV won 22 seats, the POSL
18 seats, and the PD 14 seats. The PCL lost one seat. The
"Greens" increased from two to four deputies, and the 5/6
Pension Party (a single-issue party) won four seats. (Because
of parliamentary reorganization, four seats were subtracted from
the Chamber of Deputies for the 1989 elections.) The CSV leader,
Jacques Santer, formed a government with the POSL, whose leader,
Jacques Poos, is Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. The
DP again formed the opposition, along with the PCL, "Greens,"
and 5/6 party.
</p>
<p> National elections are held at least every 5 years, with the
next election scheduled for 1994. Local elections, held every
6 years, are next scheduled for 1995.
</p>
<p>Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs,
July 1990.
</p>
</body>
</article>
</text>