The country faces a constitutional crisis as members of parliament hear of the Grand Duke’s decision not to sign the new law on euthanasia. The law on euthanasia was schedule to be voted, together with the law proposal for palliative care, on December 11th. After a first successful vote on February 19th, State Council had not exempted these two law proposals of a second vote, requested but often forfeited in less controversial questions.

Prime Minister, Jean-Claude Juncker, informed the press of his disagreement with the Grand-Duke, mentioning that for several weeks he had tried to dissuade the Grand Duke from this anti-constitutional move. “The country cannot afford a constitutional crisis alongside the economic crisis which occupies us all at the moment.”.

Together with the representatives of all political parties, the best solution out of the crisis has been found : Article 34 of the constitution, stipulating that “All laws shall be sanctioned and promulgated by the Grand-Duke” will be amended, leaving out the “sanctioning” power of the Grand-Duke. This will curtail the powers of the regent and may bring about a further revision of the constitutional powers of the Grand-Duke, at a later date.

The vote on the constitution is scheduled for Wednesday, the 10, permitting the vote on the two laws to go ahead on December the 11th.