Juncker hangs onto power despite losses in snap Luxembourg elections
THE party of Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker suffered losses in the country’s elections last night, with its worst showing since 1999, but it will remain the largest in parliament, exit polls showed.
The Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) will have 23 seats in the 60-seat parliament, down three from the last elections in 2009.
The Socialist Workers Party (LSAP), Juncker’s coalition partner since 2004, was tying with the Democratic Party (DP) for second place, both winning 13 seats, according to the exit poll.
The elections were called seven months ahead of schedule after the junior coalition partner withdrew support, accusing Juncker of failing to curb abuses of power by the secret service.
Juncker is Europe’s longest-serving leader, having spent 18 years as Prime Minister, including eight as head of the Eurogroup.