Government
Name of country:
conventional long form:
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
conventional short form:
Luxembourg
local long form:
Grand-Duche de Luxembourg
local short form:
Luxembourg
Data code:
LU
Type of government:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
Luxembourg
Administrative divisions:
3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg
Independence:
1,839
National holiday:
National Day, 23 June (1921) (public celebration of the Grand Duke's birthday)
Constitution:
17 October 1868, occasional revisions
Legal system:
based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Grand Duke JEAN (since 12 November 1964) is a hereditary monarch; Heir Apparent Prince HENRI (son of Grand Duke JEAN, born 16 April 1955)
head of government:
Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER (since 1 January 1995) and Vice Prime Minister Jacques F. POOS (since 21 July 1984) were appointed by the sovereign but are responsible to the legislature
cabinet:
Council of Ministers was appointed by the sovereign, responsible to the legislature
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des Deputes):
elections last held 12 June 1994 (next to be held by June 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (60 total) CSV 21, LSAP 17, DP 12, Action Committee for Democracy and Pension Rights 5, Greens 5
note:
the Council of State (Conseil d'Etat) is an advisory body whose views are considered by the Chamber of Deputies
Judicial branch:
Superior Court of Justice (Cour Superieure de Justice), judges are appointed for life by the Grand Duke
Political parties and leaders:
Christian Social People's Party (CSV), Erna HENNICOT-SCHOEPGES; Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP), Ben FAYOT; Democratic Party (DP), Henri GRETHEN; Action Committee for Democracy and Pension Rights, Roby MEHLEN; the Green Alternative, Abbes JACOBY; other minor parties
Other political or pressure groups:
group of steel companies representing iron and steel industry; Centrale Paysanne representing agricultural producers; Christian and Socialist labor unions; Federation of Industrialists; Artisans and Shopkeepers Federation
International organization participation:
ACCT, Australia Group, Benelux, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Alphonse BERNS
chancery:
2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
[1] (202) 265-4171
FAX:
[1] (202) 328-8270
consulate(s) general:
New York and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Clay CONSTANTINOU
embassy:
22 Boulevard Emmanuel-Servais, 2535 Luxembourg City
mailing address:
American Embassy Luxembourg, Unit 1410, APO AE 09126-1410 (official mail); American Embassy Luxembourg, PSC 9, Box 9500, APO AE 09123 (personal mail)
telephone:
[352] 46 01 23
FAX:
[352] 46 14 01
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter; design was based on the flag of France
