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6.
XeAcNOe2e for November 1952,
THE LUXEMBOURG SITUATION.
Selected at least temporarily as headquarters of the
"Black Pool” Luxembourg has entered once again the limelight of
European interest. The political stability and the economic
development of the little Grand=Duchy has become of primary
importance, It is one of the six countries to form the heart of
the European political and defense community; its important steel
production makes it an essential member in ony economic cooperation
and in Western strategic production, Luxembourg has thus a word va
to say in the vital Bast-West struggles; its leading men and politica&l
parties participate actively in Evurorean events and decisions,
The political situation.
There are four political parties represented today in the
Luxembourg Parléament.
The Christian Party hee been in power for the last 27
years. During that time it was Vr.eDupong and Bech who exchanged in
holding the position of Prime Minister and of Minister of Foreign
Affairs. WreDvpong has the advantage of long political experience.
He is an adaptable personality and some of his Party followers even
feel that he is too much inclined to compromising, especially with
the Socialists, He is considered the represertative of the left wing
in the Christian Party. lreBech, on the contrary, is a much stronger
and authoritarian character. Aman of high intelligghce, great
exverience and prudence, he is e well known international figure. Havi
Having been seriovely sick last year, he has already declined an
invitation to verticipate in the Coal-Steel Pool and is said to be .
considering his retirement from active political life within the next
couple of years, ‘The third Christian Minister, Mr-Frieden is also
passed sixty years of age, Minister of the Interior and of Education,
he has not come from the politicsl, but from the teaching career and
is a highly intelligent personality, Mr.Margeve is another one of the
old-time and outstanding figures of the Party, He is now one of the
Luxembourg members in the European Coal and Steel authppityes =
The great weakness of the Christian Party is the lack of younger
leaders. All the outstanding versonealities and members of the
government are of the old Party evard. They have ‘ert the reins in
hands and have not shared their experience with younger elements. The
war end German annexation moreover has interrupted the normal politica
evolution of the country. The consequence is that, although the Party
has some active young elements in its ranks, there is no one who
would be let to cooperate with and eventually would be able to succeed
the present-day leaders.
The moeialists are the second party to form the govermental
coalition. They have the;nimber of Sekx members as the Christians
in the Cabinet. Their leader is Justice Minister Bodson; a man of
routine and rather moderatetendencies, 2 clever politician.