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Institutions

How the country is run: the Grand Duke, the Chamber of Deputies, the Council of State, the government, communes, chambers and courts — the section the exam weights heaviest. 166 questions in this section; the exam draws 20 of its 40 from here.

1.Must professional chambers be consulted on legislation?
- aOnly for tax laws
- ✓Yes — their opinion must be sought on bills and regulations in their field
- cNo, consultation is optional
Why: Their opinion must be sought on any bill or grand-ducal/ministerial regulation concerning their sphere of competence.
2.What is Luxembourg's parliamentary system called in terms of chambers?
- ✓Unicameral — one chamber, with the Council of State as moderating influence
- bTricameral
- cBicameral
Why: The Council of State provides the 'second look' a second chamber would give elsewhere.
3.In communes with more than 3,000 inhabitants, communal elections use…
- aRelative majority
- ✓Proportional representation
- cAppointment by the Grand Duke
Why: Below 3,000 inhabitants the relative-majority (majoritaire) system applies; above it, proportional representation.
4.What are the 'professional chambers'?
- aPrivate clubs
- ✓Elected bodies representing professions, consulted on draft laws
- cEU institutions
Why: E.g. Chambre des salariés, Chambre de commerce, Chambre des métiers — mandatory consultation.
5.If Parliament is dissolved, when must elections be held?
- aWithin one month
- bWithin a year
- ✓Within three months of the dissolution
Why: Same rule applies to a dissolved communal council: elections within 3 months.
6.Which of these is an EMPLOYERS' professional chamber?
- aThe Chamber of Labour
- bThe Chamber of Private Employees
- ✓The Chamber of Commerce
Why: Employer side: Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Trades, Chamber of Agriculture.
7.What is the national language?
- aGerman
- bFrench
- ✓Luxembourgish
Why: Luxembourgish is the national language; Luxembourgish, French and German are administrative languages. Laws are drafted in French.
8.Which are the two judicial district courts (tribunaux d'arrondissement)?
- aDiekirch and Grevenmacher
- bLuxembourg and Esch-sur-Alzette
- ✓Luxembourg and Diekirch
Why: District courts: Luxembourg City and Diekirch.
9.Can the Grand Duke remove a member of the government?
- ✓Yes, the Constitution gives him that right
- bNo, only Parliament can
- cOnly the Prime Minister can
Why: Formally he organises the government: appoints ministers and secretaries of state and creates departments.
10.A 'proposition de loi' is…
- aA citizens' petition
- bA government bill
- ✓A bill proposed by one or more deputies
Why: Parliamentary initiative — the mirror of the projet de loi.
11.Where do magistrates' courts (justices de paix) sit?
- aOnly Luxembourg City
- ✓Luxembourg, Diekirch and Esch-sur-Alzette
- cEvery commune
Why: Three seats: Luxembourg, Diekirch, Esch/Alzette.
12.What does a new government do before Parliament after appointment?
- aNothing, it starts governing immediately
- bHolds a referendum
- ✓Presents its programme and receives a vote of confidence
Why: The vote of confidence gives the newly appointed government its parliamentary majority.
13.Who is the current Prime Minister (2026)?
- aXavier Bettel
- bJean-Claude Juncker
- ✓Luc Frieden
Why: Luc Frieden (CSV) leads the CSV–DP coalition since November 2023.
14.The Est (East) constituency covers which cantons?
- aDiekirch and Wiltz — 9 MPs
- bEsch and Capellen — 23 MPs
- ✓Grevenmacher, Remich and Echternach — 7 MPs
Why: Est is the smallest with 7 seats.
15.Which laws are OUTSIDE the Constitutional Court's review?
- aTax laws
- ✓Laws approving international treaties
- cCommunal regulations
Why: It rules on constitutionality of laws EXCLUDING those that approve treaties.
16.Who sets the date of communal elections?
- ✓A grand-ducal regulation
- bEach commune separately
- cThe Council of State
Why: The regulation may align it with European Parliament elections.
17.District courts sitting as a correctional chamber judge offences punishable by…
- ✓8 days to 5 years imprisonment, or fines over €251
- bFines under €250 only
- cLife imprisonment only
Why: Délits: imprisonment from 8 days to 5 years, or a fine exceeding €251.
18.What majority does a constitutional revision need in the Chamber?
- aSimple majority
- bUnanimity
- ✓Two-thirds majority (qualified), with two votes or referendum
Why: Qualified two-thirds majority; the 2023 Constitution followed this procedure.
19.Secretaries of State are…
- aJudges
- bParliamentary clerks
- ✓Junior members of the government assisting ministers
Why: Part of the government alongside the PM and ministers.
20.When does a voted law acquire legal status?
- aWhen the Council of State approves it
- ✓On publication in the Mémorial (official journal)
- cOn the day of the vote
Why: Publication in the Mémorial (Journal officiel) is the final step after promulgation.
21.The three branches of power are…
- aState, communes, EU
- bMonarch, church, army
- ✓Legislative, executive, judicial
Why: Legislative & executive are linked (parliamentary system); the judiciary is independent.
22.Who exercises executive power?
- ✓The government (Prime Minister, ministers), with the Grand Duke as formal head
- bThe Council of State
- cThe Grand Duke alone
Why: The Grand Duke formally heads the executive but acts through the accountable government.
23.Why can the Grand Duke not be prosecuted?
- aHe is above all law forever
- bHe is a foreign citizen
- ✓His status is inviolable and he has complete political immunity
Why: Political responsibility lies with ministers; the Grand Duke is inviolable.
24.Which courts handle disputes with the administration?
- aThe Labour Court
- bThe district courts
- ✓The Administrative Tribunal and the Administrative Court
Why: Administrative order: Tribunal administratif (first instance), Cour administrative (appeal).
25.What must happen to any act of the Grand Duke under his constitutional powers?
- aIt needs Council of State approval
- ✓It must be countersigned by a member of the government
- cIt must be approved by referendum
Why: Countersignature means the responsible minister — not the Grand Duke — carries political responsibility.
26.Which bodies assist Parliament in controlling government action?
- aThe Constitutional Court and the police
- ✓The Court of Auditors and the Ombudsman
- cThe communes
Why: Both report to and support the Chamber of Deputies in its oversight role.
27.What does the Superior Court of Justice (Cour supérieure de justice) comprise?
- aAll district courts
- bThe Constitutional Court
- ✓The Court of Cassation and the Court of Appeal
Why: It is the top of the ordinary (judicial) order.
28.Who formally appoints and dismisses State Councillors?
- ✓The Grand Duke, on proposal of the government, Parliament or the Council of State
- bParliament alone by vote
- cThe Prime Minister alone
Why: 21 councillors; the proposal rotates among the three bodies.
29.Which ministry issues the Vivre-ensemble certificate?
- ✓Ministry of National Education (Service de la formation des adultes)
- bMinistry of Foreign Affairs
- cMinistry of Justice
Why: SFA of the Education Ministry runs the course and exam (free of charge).
30.How many electoral constituencies are there for legislative elections?
- a2
- ✓4
- c12
Why: Four: Sud (23 seats), Centre (21), Nord (9), Est (7).

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