Changes to Luxembourg’s constitution must be confirmed in parliament by a two-thirds majority and lawmakers must vote on them twice with an interval of at least three months. During these three months, voters can launch a request to hold a referendum.

A group of voters on 17 March submitted this request to the prime minister’s office for updates to the constitution approved by lawmakers on 9 March. Xavier Bettel (DP) now has three days to review the documents.

This is the third citizens’ initiative that hopes to trigger a referendum on the reform of the grand duchy’s more than 150-year-old constitution. To be successful, it would require the initiative to collect 25,000 signatures on lists published at the country’s town halls.

A public ballot had been promised in the 2018 coalition agreement but was then shelved after the reform was broken down into four separate chapters. Under previous plans, a completely new text was supposed to be put to a vote in parliament and then voters.

But party-political squabbles in 2019 meant that the majority parties--the DP, LSAP and déi Gréng that together hold just 31 seats in parliament--would have failed to secure the necessary votes. In a compromise, the reform was broken down into four chapters.

A citizens’ initiative about the first chapter--on Luxembourg’s justice system-- to garner the 25,000 signatures needed from voters. A second procedure is still ongoing for and the grand duke’s role as head of state.

The third initiative has now been launched for and liberties, for example enshrining the right to start a family, children’s rights, animal rights, human dignity and a commitment to combat climate change.