Thursday, October 30, 2014

Budget Plans

The Luxembourgish government announced the state budget plans for 2015 today. 9.8 million euros of the draft budget have been earmarked for the Grand Ducal Family. Despite calls by the Young Socialists (like they happen every year), the three party coalition of the Democratic Party (DP), the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) and The Greens never intended any budget cuts.

The 9,809,803 million euros in 2015 mark a rise of 397,226 euros compared to this year. The upward trend is expected to continue in coming years. It means that the cour grand-ducale costs more than 17 euros per head of the Luxembourgish population each year. Of course that it is a lot compared to other European monarchies though one has to also keep in mind that Luxembourg is a relatively small country with a small population. The majority of the money received by the Grand Duke - about 5.3 million euros - goes into the salaries of his staff. The staff of Grand Duke Jean costs another 1.3 million euros.

For the civil list, a kind of untaxed allowance given to the Grand Duke, the state has earmarked 1.7 million euros for 2015. The civil list is enshrined in the Luxembourgish constitution. Its aim is to keep the head of state independent from all parliamentary budget discussions. The civil list can only be changed at the beginning of a new reign.

Grand Duke Henri will also receive 703,000 euros for representative expenses. Grand Duke Jean will receive 241,421 euros and Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume 157,269 euros.

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