Luxembourg

The three branches

Head of State — The Grand Duke

Sanctions and promulgates laws; the 2023 revision restated his powers without expanding them.

Executive — Government led by the Prime Minister

Coalition government accountable to the Chamber of Deputies.

Legislative — Chamber of Deputies

Unicameral, 60 members elected by proportional representation for five years.

Advisory — Conseil d’État

Gives opinions on all bills and draft regulations; purely advisory since 1996.

Judicial — Judiciary and the National Council of Justice

The new council, introduced in 2023, safeguards judicial independence and appointments.

How legislation is made

Because parliament is unicameral, a compensating safeguard applies: the Conseil d’État gives a formal opinion on every bill, and the Chamber must either hold a second vote at least three months after the first or be dispensed from it by the Chamber and the Conseil d’État acting together. The Grand Duke then promulgates the law and it is published in the Journal officiel via Legilux.

Enforcement institutions

Parquet (public prosecution service)

Headed by the Procureur général d’État; directs criminal investigations.

Police grand-ducale

A single national police force.

Juge d’instruction

Investigating judge who conducts judicial investigations into serious offences.