This Wednesday,  (CSV), the new prime minister, will make his first government statement. He will present the coalition agreement to MPs, which has become the programme of the CSV-DP government since its adoption by the government council.

Both the CSV and DP have had their participation in the government unanimously validated by the competent bodies of their parties.

On the opposition side, we can expect a rather cool reception. And during the debate on the government programme that will precede the vote of confidence scheduled for Thursday 23 November, a few criticisms could be levelled here and there from the opposition benches.

Opposition in the starting-blocks

is criticising the vagueness of the coalition agreement and the lack of explanation as to how the tax cuts and investments will be financed. For , “relying on growth is a losing bet.” The straw that could break the camel’s back is the principle of “silence means agreement,” which is seen as a programmed backtracking on environmental policies in the name of the housing crisis, the CSV’s rallying cry during the campaign.

For , now leader of the LSAP faction, “it’s not enough to make promises.” The LSAP is critical of a neo-liberal programme that skips over social measures in favour of tax breaks that will not benefit those who need it most.

For the Pirates, also criticises the vagueness of the agreement and the failure to fund tax measures--a failure he compares to Liz Truss’s programme in the UK... He gives the government a good mark for its willingness to better control spending.

For the ADR, it’s not economic, financial or security policy that bothers them, but the societal aspects linked to schools, family policy and the recognition of assisted reproductive technology and surrogacy.

For déi Lénk, they fear that social gains will be rolled back, and are worried about the flexibilisation of working hours and the sustainability of the index. At the same time, there are doubts about the effectiveness of the housing measures that have been launched.

While there may not be a united opposition, all the parties that make up the opposition will be keen to show that alternatives exist...

Methodical speech

Frieden is expected to detail the key actions and broad outlines of the government’s programme.

He will be particularly keen to discuss the financing of a programme marked by major tax cuts for both individuals and businesses. “We have to try to stimulate economic activity at national level, and increasing purchasing power will contribute to this, as will the measures we are putting in place. Secondly, we know that the economic situation is bad, but I think that over the next few years, we will be able to implement what we have planned to do,” he declared before the cameras of RTL on 20 November. It’s an analysis disputed by both the opposition and a number of experts, including the .

The housing issue has also attracted a great deal of criticism.

There are two main areas of criticism. First, the lack of a super ministry and the fact that (DP) is responsible for both housing and education. Second, the impression that the tax breaks announced will encourage speculation, that the measures taken will mainly benefit private investors and that public promoters will remain more spectators than players.

This article was first published in French on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.