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Institutions — page 2

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.

31.Who votes the laws?
- aThe Grand Duke
- bThe Council of State
- ✓The Chamber of Deputies
Why: The single-chamber parliament votes; the Council of State only advises.
32.What is the 'second constitutional vote'?
- aA vote by the Council of State
- bA referendum
- ✓A second vote on a law at least 3 months after the first
Why: Unless the Council of State dispenses with it, Parliament must vote the whole text again after at least three months.
33.The Sud (South) constituency consists of which cantons?
- aGrevenmacher, Remich, Echternach — 7 MPs
- bLuxembourg and Mersch — 21 MPs
- ✓Esch-sur-Alzette and Capellen — 23 MPs
Why: Sud is the largest constituency with 23 of the 60 seats.
34.Who chairs the parliamentary committee controlling budget implementation?
- ✓An opposition MP
- bThe Prime Minister
- cThe Grand Duke
Why: A deliberate check: the opposition oversees how the budget is executed.
35.How many cantons does Luxembourg have?
- a4
- b100
- ✓12
Why: 12 cantons — purely territorial subdivisions (the 3 districts were abolished in 2015).
36.Who manages the day-to-day running of a commune?
- ✓The mayor and the college of aldermen (collège échevinal)
- bThe Minister of the Interior
- cThe district commissioner
Why: They emanate from the elected communal council.
37.Who heads a commune's executive?
- aThe district commissioner
- ✓The mayor (bourgmestre) with the college of aldermen (échevins)
- cA prefect
Why: Bourgmestre + échevins form the executive; the municipal council is the deliberative body.
38.What is the Economic and Social Council (CES/ESC)?
- aA chamber of parliament
- bA court
- ✓An advisory body studying economic and social questions
Why: Composed of employer, employee and government representatives; it advises on its own initiative or on request.
39.How many communes does Luxembourg have (2026)?
- a12
- b118
- ✓100
Why: 100 communes after the 2023 mergers; grouped in 12 cantons.
40.Which body rules at FIRST instance in administrative appeals?
- aThe Administrative Court
- ✓The Administrative Tribunal
- cThe Court of Cassation
Why: Tribunal administratif first instance; Cour administrative is the appeal body.
41.Who can dispense with the second constitutional vote?
- aThe Grand Duke
- ✓The Council of State
- cThe Constitutional Court
Why: If the Council of State agrees to exemption, the second vote is waived — its main remaining 'suspensive' power.
42.What is the role of the Council of State (Conseil d'État)?
- aIt votes laws
- bIt judges criminal cases
- ✓It gives opinions on all draft laws and can delay them
Why: 21 councillors; advisory review of every bill; suspensive veto replaced by the 'second constitutional vote' mechanics.
43.Who chairs the Government Council?
- aThe Grand Duke
- ✓The Prime Minister
- cThe President of the Chamber
Why: The PM (Minister of State) chairs; the Grand Duke does not attend cabinet meetings.
44.Who is the head of state (since October 2025)?
- ✓Grand Duke Guillaume
- bPrime Minister Luc Frieden
- cGrand Duke Henri
Why: Henri abdicated on 3 October 2025; his son Guillaume became Grand Duke.
45.What is the national motto?
- ✓'Mir wëlle bleiwe wat mir sinn'
- b'Ee Vollek, ee Land'
- c'Liberté, égalité, fraternité'
Why: 'We want to remain what we are' — on many façades in the old town.
46.Grand-Ducal regulations serve to…
- aJudge disputes
- ✓Execute/implement laws
- cReplace the Constitution
Why: Règlements grand-ducaux implement laws; they rank below laws.
47.A 'projet de loi' comes from the government; a 'proposition de loi' comes from…
- aThe Grand Duke
- bThe Council of State
- ✓One or more MPs
Why: An MP's bill goes first to the Conference of Presidents, which decides on its consideration.
48.To stand as a candidate in legislative elections, one must be…
- aAny EU citizen resident 5 years
- ✓A Luxembourg citizen enjoying civic and political rights
- cAny resident over 18
Why: Unlike municipal/European elections, national candidacy and voting are reserved to Luxembourgers.
49.What is the national holiday?
- ✓23 June — official celebration of the Grand Duke's birthday
- b1 May
- c9 May
Why: 23 June, regardless of the monarch's real birthday.
50.Which court handles minor infringements punishable by fines up to €250?
- aThe district court
- ✓The police court
- cThe Court of Appeal
Why: Justices of the peace also sit as a simple police court for violations/infringements up to €250 fines.
51.Since when is the current (fully revised) Constitution in force?
- a1919
- b1868
- ✓1 July 2023
Why: The revised Constitution entered into force on 1 July 2023 (replacing the much-amended 1868 text).
52.Who tenders the resignation of the whole government?
- aThe Council of State
- bParliament by decree
- ✓The Prime Minister, to the Grand Duke
Why: The Grand Duke then accepts it.
53.How many deputies sit in the Chamber of Deputies?
- a48
- ✓60
- c100
Why: 60 deputies, elected for 5 years by proportional representation.
54.How many members has the government's advisory Economic and Social Council? (type)
- aA chamber of parliament
- ✓An advisory body of employers, unions and government appointees
- cA tribunal
Why: Advisory body for economic/social policy; the professional chambers play a similar consultative role.
55.Into how many judicial districts is Luxembourg divided?
- aFour
- bTwelve
- ✓Two — Luxembourg and Diekirch
Why: Two judicial districts (arrondissements), each with its own district court (tribunal d'arrondissement).
56.Who represents Luxembourg in the European Parliament?
- ✓6 MEPs
- b12 MEPs
- c60 MEPs
Why: 6 MEPs, elected every 5 years (voting compulsory here too).
57.Where does the Chamber of Deputies sit?
- aDiekirch
- ✓Luxembourg City (Krautmaart)
- cEsch-sur-Alzette
Why: The Hôtel de la Chambre on the Krautmaart, next to the Grand Ducal Palace.
58.The main political parties include…
- ✓CSV, DP, LSAP, déi Gréng, ADR, déi Lénk, Piratepartei
- bLabour and Conservatives
- cRepublicans and Democrats
Why: CSV (christian-social), DP (liberal), LSAP (socialist), Greens, ADR, The Left, Pirates.
59.How is the Court of Appeal organised?
- aTwo chambers with 12 judges
- ✓Nine chambers with 35 appeal judges
- cOne chamber with 5 judges
Why: Cour d'appel: 9 chambers, 35 appeal judges. With the Court of Cassation it forms the Superior Court of Justice.
60.Who promulgates laws?
- aThe Prime Minister
- bThe President of the Chamber
- ✓The Grand Duke
Why: Since 2008 the Grand Duke promulgates (no longer 'sanctions') laws — changed after the euthanasia-law crisis.

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