Brussels, 08/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - The electorate of Luxembourg gave a massive thumbs-down on Sunday 7 June to extending the right to vote in general elections to foreigners, AFP and Reuters report. The proposal was part of the policy being conducted by the Liberal prime minister, Xavier Bettel, to modernise the Grand Duchy.
Foreigners make up 46% of the population of the country. Had it passed, the measure would have been a ground-breaker in the European Union.
The measure, rejected by over 78% of those who voted, would have given the right to vote to some 35,000 people, mainly from Europe. Portuguese nationals make up 16.4% of the population, then come French (7%), Italian (3.5%), Belgian (3.3%) and German (2.3%) nationals. Non-European foreigners form 7% of the population. Voting rights in general elections would have been granted to non-nationals who had lived at least ten years in Luxembourg and had previously voted in a local or European election while resident there.
Two other measures were proposed in the referendum: lowering the voting age to 16 and limiting ministerial terms of office to ten consecutive years. Both were roundly rejected. (Solenn Paulic)