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Fokus Party in Luxembourg
In this article, we will take a closer look at the World of Fokus, its organizational structure and representativeness within the Luxembourgish political landscape.
In the ever-evolving political landscape of Luxembourg, a fresh breeze has swept in with the emergence of Fokus, a political party founded in February 2022. Spearheaded by prominent figures such as Frank Engel, former president of CSV, Marc Ruppert, former secretary-general of DP, Gary Kneip, a former DP member and labor union leader, and Luc Majerus, a Green party councilor from Esch-sur-Alzette, Fokus has risen as a new and fresh alternative.
Fokus party at a glance
Fokus proudly positions itself as a pragmatic party, eschewing rigid ideologies and instead focusing on a set of shared values it dubs "citizen values." These values include solidarity, respect, a commitment to evidence-based decision-making, transparency, and civic engagement, among others. In an era where political polarization can hinder progress, Fokus stands as a beacon of moderation, aiming to bridge divides and find practical solutions to Luxembourg's challenges.
Political Guide
Structure and representativeness
The Fokus Party, a relatively new entrant onto Luxembourg's political stage, is characterized by its distinctive organizational structure and internal dynamics. Led by Marc Ruppert, this political venture comprises 20 founding members. However, the exact size of the party's current membership remains undisclosed to the public, suggesting a relatively modest presence given its recent inception.
National governance
At the national level, Fokus is governed by a hierarchy of key bodies, each with distinct responsibilities and functions
National Congress
Serving as the party's supreme authority, the National Congress plays a pivotal role in shaping Fokus's political objectives and actions. Among its responsibilities are the approval and modification of party statutes, the election of national committee members, the selection of executive committee members, and the nomination of electoral candidates and campaign budgets. The Ordinary National Congress convenes annually and includes all party members.
National Committee
Empowered with broad decision-making authority on behalf of Fokus, the National Committee determines the party's political stances and designates candidates for national, communal, and European elections. It comprises members of the executive committee, regional committee presidents, political working group presidents, and twelve members elected by the National Congress.
Executive Committee
Responsible for the day-to-day management of the party, it implements Fokus's political agenda as defined by the National Congress. Its members can represent Fokus, grant interviews, issue written or verbal statements, and release official opinions, resolutions, or communications on behalf of the party. The committee also formulates Fokus's communication strategy and includes a president, two vice presidents, a secretary-general, a treasurer, a spokesperson, one or two deputy secretaries-general, one or two deputy spokespersons, and a delegate from each electoral district.
Regional governance
Fokus extends its influence and representation to the regional level, where regions are composed of local sections within electoral districts
Regional Congress
It wields the authority to elect the regional committee, including a president, two vice presidents, a secretary, and a treasurer, along with other committee members. It also collaborates on developing common political action plans and proposes regional electoral candidates to the national committee. This congress consists of all party members residing in municipalities within the region and typically convenes once a year.
Regional Committee
It decides on coalition agreements at the municipal council level based on proposals from local sections and in consultation with the executive committee.
Local engagement
Local Assembly
Local Assemblies are tasked with electing members to the local committee, including the president, secretary, treasurer, and two permanent delegates to the regional committee. They also play a crucial role in deciding on common political action plans and proposing local candidates for regional and national elections. Local Assemblies meet annually and are composed of all party members residing within the respective municipality.
Local Committee
Comprising members from the local section, the Local Committee includes the president, secretary, and treasurer.
Electoral system divides the country into four constituencies. The number of seats allocated to each constituency is proportional to its population
23
seats in the South
21
seats in the Center
9
seats in the North
7
seats in the East
People and influence in the party
Key personnel profiles
The Fokus Party, under the leadership of President Marc Ruppert, boasts a cadre of prominent individuals who play vital roles within the organization, categorizing them based on their areas of influence and involvement.
Leaders of the party
Marc Ruppert
He participated in the creation of the new Fokus party in February 2022 alongside Frank Engel. He currently serves as its president. Marc Ruppert was appointed secretary general of the DP in 2015, but resigned two years later.
Frank Engel
He is the national chairman of the Fokus party. Engel was elected to the EU Parliament in 2009 and re-elected in 2014, after serving as secretary general of the CSV party. He soon became president of the CSV, but resigned in 2019 after being accused of abuse.
Françoise Kirsch
She serves as a Vice President of the Fokus party in Luxembourg. This elections will be the first entrance to the political scene for Kirsch.
Other key members of the party
Anne Lecuit
Vice President of the party in Schifflange
Anne Winter
President of the party in the Northern constituency
Eric Derume
President of the party in the Southern constituency
Cedric Bellwald
President of the party in the Central constituency
Jaques Linster
Treasurer of the Fokus Party
Ervin Zaljević
Deputy Secretary General
Claus Nehring
Deputy Secretary General
Gary Kneip
Secretary General of the Fokus Party
In 2023 General Elections in Luxembourg Fokus Party has secured 93,832 votes, that constitutes 2.49% share of all votes. It did not give them any places in the Chamber, but it was a first try.
Given that the party was founded last year, it has not had the opportunity to participate in European elections. The European Elections in 2024 has presented a chance.
6 seats
are granted to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in the European Parliament
96 seats
are held by Germany, the most populous EU state, and the neighbor of the GDL
Fokus current political stance
Positioning itself in the political center, Fokus is likely to attract voters from parties sharing a similar ideological proximity. By adopting a centrist stance, the party seeks to bridge the gap between divergent political ideologies, catering to those seeking a more balanced and solutions-oriented approach to governance.
The party and its cornerstones
Fokus's participation in the 2023 municipal elections, with candidates in Luxembourg City, Differdange, and Sassenheim, yielded modest results, securing 2.4%, 2.3%, and 2.7% of the votes, respectively, without gaining any mandates. These outcomes underscore the party's nascent stage and the considerable efforts required for its growth and expansion.
Party views visualization
Fokus fraction meeting in 2023. Photo from the party Facebook page
The Fokus is known for its 'startup mindset'
Clear objective
The party believes in transitioning from a phase of prolonged deliberation to decisive action
Flexibility
While holding some values dear, they avoid being overly swayed by ideologies
Pragmatism
Fokus's vision is rooted in pragmatic, solution-driven governance, that is problem-oriented
Individual freedom
Fokus places a high premium on individual freedom, emphasizing the importance of respecting fellow citizens and personal responsibility.
State enforcement
Fokus underscores the role of the state in safeguarding individuals and the public at large by possessing the means to enforce the rule of law effectively.
Equal opportunities
Ensuring equal opportunities and fair justice for people of the Grand Duchy is one of the aims of the party.
Commitment to the European Union
Fokus firmly anchors Luxembourg's sovereignty within the EU, a body it helped to create.
The party seeks solutions that aim for comprehensive political projects that respect the diverse circumstances and contributions of all individuals within the country
Fokus Party, poised to make its electoral debut on October 8, 2023, brings forward a comprehensive political program with a focus on transformative change in Luxembourg's political landscape. You can find the full version on their website, for your convenience we leave you a direct link here and we present you a condensed summary of their key policy areas:
Justice in a society
Fokus places justice at the heart of its political agenda. They advocate for a society where justice is accessible to all citizens, extending to
Housing
Employment
Fair wages
Protection against violence
They equally emphasize environmental sustainability, ensuring timely healthcare access, and promoting an inclusive education system.
Housing crisis
Recognizing the urgent housing crisis, Fokus pledges to create more affordable housing options, stimulate construction, and streamline regulatory processes. They propose reducing property registration fees for residential transactions and lowering the VAT rate for housing-related construction to alleviate material costs.
Fokus plans a radical overhaul of the 2004 communal planning and urban development law and supports an increased land tax on undeveloped and unused land to incentivize housing construction.
Tax reform
Fokus seeks a fair tax system by redistributing the tax burden. They propose taxing modern production factors like robots and AI, while advocating for a financial transactions tax, including speculative transactions. These measures aim to reduce the tax burden on human labor and fund essential services.
Fokus aims to introduce a seniors basic income of 1,000 to 2,000 euros from the age of 65, finance basic retirement home contributions, and reform the income tax scale, ensuring lower-income groups receive more significant tax breaks.
They plan to lower the standard corporate tax rate to 20% uniformly and enact tax agreements for international corporations to ensure effective taxation. Fokus also suggests indexing income tax brackets to inflation, particularly benefitting lower-income individuals.
Life and security
Fokus firmly rejects the use of private security firms, upholding the state's monopoly on force. They propose a well-balanced approach, including qualitative recruitment and training, fieldwork throughout careers, increased police visibility, and a fundamental policy workflow overhaul. Fokus also advocates for the Minister of Interior to oversee police matters closely.
They emphasize a collaborative approach with mayors to address security issues, deploy police support where needed, and establish intervention plans. Fokus supports enhanced victim support and strict penalties for intentional violence, particularly sexual assaults.
Gender and social equality
Fokus strives for comprehensive equality in society, especially gender equality in families, society, workplaces, and politics. They advocate for shared responsibilities in household chores, childcare and education.
Fokus promotes reduced working hours for parents without income loss, coupled with expanded free childcare. They champion pay equality, making it a legislative priority, ensuring equal pay for equal work across sectors.
The party encourages abandoning stereotypes and promoting equal opportunities for children. Fokus advocates for equal treatment of individuals regardless of their sexual orientation, supporting legal recognition and rights for same-sex couples. They call for fair employment opportunities for foreigners legally residing in Luxembourg.
Education, family and social inclusion
Fokus aims to enhance the current model of free childcare, offering support to parents who actively engage in their children's upbringing.
Parental leave system
An extended parental leave system, allowing both parents to work 20% less without salary loss. This plan is intended for the pre-schooling period.
Communication and consensus
Fokus advocates for improved communication and long-term consensus in education policies, supporting public schools and rejecting a dual-tiered teaching system.
Сollaboration
Enhanced vocational training, evaluation transparency, and collaboration between schools and associations.
Inclusion
Fokus also advocates for equal inclusion of individuals with special needs and disabilities in education and society.
Healthcare
Fokus aims to ensure quality healthcare with reasonable emergency wait times and swift access to specialists. They advocate for expanding and renovating medical facilities, recruiting more medical professionals, and aligning staffing with demographic trends. They seek reduced administrative tasks for medical staff, aiming to enhance patient care.
Fokus supports effective patient-doctor communication and proposes the establishment of a progressive university hospital. They also call for nursing personnel training reforms and better healthcare equipment oversight.
Climate and energy transition
Fokus advocates a comprehensive approach to address climate change. Their goal is to make Luxembourg carbon-neutral, focusing on energy efficiency and reduced consumption. They aim to modernize the economy and society through sustainable technologies, emphasizing research, development, and new industries.
Green technologies
Fokus supports mastering key green technologies within Europe and domestic production of renewable energy equipment
Renewable energy
They encourage citizen participation in renewable energy projects and streamlined support for sustainable housing
Hydrogen development
Fokus recognizes the importance of hydrogen and its development for various sectors, including transportation
Battery production and recycling
They promote battery technology advancements and recycling, positioning Luxembourg as a hub for sustainable finance
Foreign policy for a just world
Fokus emphasizes Luxembourg's commitment to international law. They recognize the importance of international alliances for the country's success and advocate for active diplomacy. Fokus aims to facilitate legal immigration to meet the country's economic needs while maintaining strict criteria.
Centers for professionals
They propose establishing global centers for professionals seeking to settle in Luxembourg
Balance
Fokus supports a balanced approach to immigration, acknowledging the continent's role in upholding human dignity, human rights, and democracy
Societal integration
They emphasize the need for accommodating refugees and promoting societal integration while upholding shared values
Fokus promotes clean energy partnerships in Africa and urges financial infrastructure development to combat terrorism financing. They propose aiding Pacific Island nations in addressing climate change challenges.
Party representation
While the Fokus Party has yet to participate in legislative elections, it is essential to assess the demographic segments the party is likely to represent, based on its roots, principles, and emerging political agenda.
According to Fokus, a significant portion of the electorate no longer finds alignment with existing political parties. These individuals seek an alternative proposition, one that mirrors the behavior of a pragmatic entity rather than one driven by predefined ideologies.
Electorate demographics
The party is popular among various members of the society
Younger genereation
Medical workers
Eco-activists and social justice leaders
Parents and families
Fokus aims to allure voters by adopting an approach akin to a problem-solving enterprise, focused on finding solutions that serve the interests of the people.
Fokus party in comparison
| Fokus | DP | CSV | Greens | |
| Environment | High | Middle | Low | High |
| Electorate | Young | Young | Older | Young |
| Trade unions | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Secularism | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Fokus party office is located in Luxembourg City
- Office location: 69 rue de l'Êglise, Niederkorn
- Official website: fokus.lu
- Phone number: (+352) 26 65 09 91
Brief history of the party
Fokus is a relatively new political party, it was founded on February 21, 2022, by notable figures such as Frank Engel, the former president of CSV (Christian Social People's Party), Marc Ruppert, former secretary-general of DP (Democratic Party), Gary Kneip, a former DP member and labor union leader, and Luc Majerus, a Green Party municipal councilor in Esch-sur-Alzette.
Debut in politics: 2022-2023
Source: fokus.lu. The foundation and first national congress took place on 14 May 2022.
- In the year 2023, Fokus made its debut in the political arena by participating in municipal elections in Luxembourg City, Differdange, and Sassenheim. Although they garnered 2.4%, 2.3%, and 2.7% of the votes in these respective locations, the party did not secure any mandates.
- Looking ahead, Fokus has set its sights on the upcoming legislative elections scheduled for October. The party has announced its intention to field candidates in all four constituencies, signaling its commitment to a broader presence in Luxembourg's political landscape as it continues to develop its history and influence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What was the party's performance in the 2023 municipal elections?
In the 2023 municipal elections in Luxembourg, the Fokus Party made its debut but secured modest results. They obtained 2.4% of the votes in Luxembourg City, 2.3% in Differdange, and 2.7% in Sassenheim. Despite their efforts, the party did not win any mandates in these elections.
Who are the key figures behind the Fokus Party, and what were their previous political affiliations?
The Fokus Party was founded by notable figures from Luxembourg's political landscape. Its founders include Frank Engel, former president of the CSV, Marc Ruppert, former secretary-general of the DP, Gary Kneip, a former DP member and labor union leader, and Luc Majerus, a Green Party councilor in Esch-sur-Alzette.
Where does the Fokus Party stand on the political spectrum?
The Fokus Party positions itself in the center of the political spectrum, emphasizing a pragmatic approach that transcends rigid ideologies. The party prioritizes problem-solving and aims to address long-standing issues, such as education, state institutions, taxation, housing, and mobility, with a focus on practical solutions that benefit all citizens, regardless of their background or circumstances. This approach sets them apart from traditional parties and underscores their commitment to people-centric policies.
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Source: fokus.lu, fr.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, de.wikipedia.org, lb.wikipedia.org, luxtimes.lu, paperjam.lu
We took photos from these sources: Fokus website; Fokus Facebook official page; Wikimedia
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