Backes to take office as finance minister on 5 January

Luxembourg’s new finance minister, Yuriko Backes (DP), is set to take office on 5 January, the royal household announced on Thursday. New LSAP cabinet ministers Georges Engel and Claude Haagen will also be sworn in.

Grand Duke Henri next week Wednesday will meet with outgoing finance minister Pierre Gramegna (DP) as well as deputy prime minister Dan Kersch and agriculture and social security minister Romain Schneider (both LSAP), who are also stepping down.

Following this last audience with the ministers, the grand duke will swear in their successors in the presence of prime minister Xavier Bettel (DP).

Backes was revealed as Gramegna’s successor and Luxembourg’s first female finance minister on 3 December. Gramegna on 30 November had announced his surprise resignation, saying he did not want to run in the 2023 elections, giving the government time to integrate a successor for the longer-term.

Member of parliament Georges Engel (LSAP) will replace Kersch as labour and sport minister. His title as deputy prime minister, however, will go to health minister Paulette Lenert (LSAP).

Claude Haagen (LSAP), also an MP and mayor of Diekirch, will succeed Schneider for his mandates as both agriculture and social security minister.

Kersch and Schneider also on 30 November had announced their resignation, citing personal and health reasons. Both had previously said that they would not be running for a government office in 2023.