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Institutions — page 5

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.

121.What is the main purpose of the professional chambers?
- aTo collect taxes
- bTo judge disputes
- ✓To safeguard and defend the interests of the groups they represent, and to be consulted on legislation
Why: Their opinion must be sought on bills touching their sphere.
122.Who sits on the Economic and Social Council?
- aOnly judges
- ✓Employer, employee and government representatives
- cOnly ministers
Why: It studies economic and social questions on its own initiative or on request.
123.The Council of State's opinion is required on…
- aOnly budget laws
- bOnly constitutional revisions
- ✓Every bill and any draft grand-ducal regulation submitted to it
Why: 21 councillors; it is the moderating influence in a unicameral system.
124.What happens to a bill after Parliament votes it?
- ✓The Grand Duke promulgates it and it is published in the Mémorial
- bIt becomes law immediately with no further step
- cIt goes to the Constitutional Court
Why: Publication in the official journal gives it legal force.
125.Grand-ducal regulations may not…
- aBe challenged in court
- ✓Contradict the law they implement
- cBe published
Why: They rank below laws and serve to execute them.
126.Who has the right of parliamentary initiative?
- aOnly the Council of State
- bOnly the government
- ✓Both the government (projet de loi) and deputies (proposition de loi)
Why: A deputy's bill goes first to the Conference of Presidents.
127.Luxembourg's parliament is described as…
- ✓Unicameral
- bTricameral
- cBicameral
Why: The Council of State supplies the second-chamber-like review.
128.How many members sit on the Constitutional Court?
- aTwenty-one
- ✓Nine effective members
- cFive
Why: Set out in the Constitution.
129.Which elections may resident EU citizens take part in?
- aLegislative elections
- ✓Communal and European elections
- cNone
Why: National (legislative) elections remain reserved to Luxembourg nationals.
130.How many MEPs does Luxembourg elect?
- ✓6
- b12
- c21
Why: Elected every five years; voting is compulsory for registered Luxembourg voters.
131.Which is NOT one of Luxembourg's 12 cantons?
- ✓Schengen
- bClervaux
- cCapellen
Why: Schengen is a village in the canton of Remich. Cantons include Capellen, Clervaux, Diekirch, Echternach, Esch-sur-Alzette, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg, Mersch, Redange, Remich, Vianden, Wiltz.
132.Which body assists Parliament by auditing public finances?
- aThe Council of State
- ✓The Court of Auditors
- cThe Constitutional Court
Why: Together with the Ombudsman it supports parliamentary oversight.
133.What is required for a constitutional revision?
- aA royal decree
- ✓A qualified two-thirds majority
- cA simple majority
Why: The revised Constitution took effect 1 July 2023.
134.The Grand Duke's political immunity means…
- aHe can veto any law
- ✓He cannot be charged or prosecuted; ministers carry political responsibility
- cHe is head of the judiciary
Why: Every act requires ministerial countersignature.
135.Municipal executive decisions are taken by…
- aThe district commissioner
- bThe Council of State
- ✓The college of mayor and aldermen
Why: The communal council is the deliberative organ.
136.The state's relationship with communes is one of…
- aTotal independence
- bDirect state administration
- ✓Communal autonomy under state supervision
Why: Communes run civil registry, primary schools and local utilities.
137.Which principle describes the relationship between the legislative and executive branches?
- aAll three are fully separate
- ✓They are linked, while the judiciary is independent
- cAll three are fused
Why: The official syllabus phrases it exactly this way.
138.What is the Mémorial?
- aThe parliament building
- ✓The official journal where laws are published
- cThe national archive
Why: Publication there gives a text legal status.
139.How long is a deputy's mandate?
- ✓5 years
- b6 years
- c4 years
Why: 60 deputies elected by proportional representation.
140.What voting system is used for legislative elections?
- aSingle transferable vote only
- ✓Proportional representation with a distinctive vote-distribution system
- cFirst past the post
Why: Voters may spread votes across lists (panachage) or give two to one candidate.
141.Voting is compulsory for…
- aEvery resident
- bNobody
- ✓Registered Luxembourg voters
Why: Excuses are required for absence.
142.Who formally appoints ministers?
- aParliament by vote
- ✓The Grand Duke
- cThe Council of State
Why: He may also remove any member of the government.
143.What gives a new government its democratic legitimacy?
- aThe Grand Duke's signature alone
- ✓A vote of confidence in Parliament after presenting its programme
- cA referendum
Why: Ministers are politically accountable to the Chamber.
144.Which body may be dissolved, triggering elections within three months?
- aNeither
- bOnly the Council of State
- ✓Both Parliament and a communal council
Why: The same three-month rule applies to both.
145.What is the seat of the Chamber of Deputies?
- aBelval
- ✓The Krautmaart in Luxembourg City
- cDiekirch
Why: Next to the Grand Ducal Palace.
146.In communes under 3,000 inhabitants, elections use…
- aProportional representation
- bAppointment
- ✓The relative majority system
Why: Above 3,000 inhabitants, proportional representation applies.
147.Which advisory body must be consulted on bills affecting a specific profession?
- aThe Constitutional Court
- ✓The relevant professional chamber
- cThe Court of Auditors
Why: Mandatory consultation in their sphere of competence.
148.Luxembourg's form of government is officially…
- aA federal republic
- ✓A constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy
- cAn absolute monarchy
Why: The crown passes through the House of Nassau.
149.What is the national day?
- a1 May
- b9 May
- ✓23 June
Why: Official celebration of the Grand Duke's birthday, regardless of the actual date.
150.Which region is the Gutland?
- aThe capital only
- ✓The southern part including the Moselle valley and the Minett
- cThe northern uplands
Why: The Oesling is the northern region, about 828 km².

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