Sunday, June 7, 2015

Grand Ducal Family Votes in Constitutional Referendum

Photo: Luxemburger Wort / Wort.lu
Photo: Jean-Paul Frisch / RTL / RTL.lu
Today was the day of the much talked about LuxReferendum. The government had asked the Grand Duchy's citizens to vote in a constitutional referendum about the questions of giving 16-year-olds the right to vote ("Do you approve of the idea that Luxembourg people aged between sixteen and eighteen should have the right to optionally register on electoral lists in order to participate as voters in the elections to the Chamber of Deputies, the European elections, municipal elections and referendums?"), giving foreigner's the right to vote ("Do you approve of the idea that residents without Luxembourg nationality should have the right to optionally register on electoral lists in order to participate as voters in the elections to the Chamber of Deputies, on the double condition that they have resided at least ten years in Luxembourg and that they have previously participated in European or municipal elections in Luxembourg?") and introducing term limits ("Do you approve of the idea of limiting to ten years the maximum period during which someone can continuously be part of the government (cabinet)?") 

Photo: Jean-Paul Frisch / RTL / RTL.lu
Among those asked to vote were members of the Grand Ducal Family. (Why yes, they do have the right to do so (and excercise it)). Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, Prince Louis and Princess Tessy, Princess Alexandra as well as Prince Sébastien all made their way to the Ratskeller polling station on a sunny Sunday to cast their votes. I expect that even those who we did not see out and about today gave their votes in some way, some at other polling stations, others likely via postal ballot.

Pictures and videos of the day at Wort in German, Wort in French, Wort in English, L'essentiel, RTL #1 and RTL #2. As of now, it looks like the overwhelming majority of Luxembourgers answered all the three questions with 'No'. One should also note, however, that the results are not legally binding but consultative.

No comments:

Post a Comment