Commentaire article 14 TUE (le Parlement européen)

in Dubos, Olivier (Ed.) Commentaire du traité sur l'Union européenne (2014)

Les acquis et spécificités en matière de libre circulation des travailleurs et des citoyens au Luxembourg: « Le laboratoire luxembourgeois »

Scientific Conference (2013, November 12)

Some remarks on the pending constitutional change in the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg

in European Public Law (2013), 19(3), 449-459

In the history of constitutional changes in Europe, the making of a new constitution is often linked to violent incidents like a revolution, a coup d'état or a war. That is why the change of the ... [more ▼]

In the history of constitutional changes in Europe, the making of a new constitution is often linked to violent incidents like a revolution, a coup d'état or a war. That is why the change of the constitution was mostly preceded by a change of the holder of the constituent power. The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, however, is currently engaged in a process of constitution making in compliance with the revision procedure established by the existent document. The Constitution of the Grand Duchy, one of the oldest constitutional documents in Europe still in force, is undergoing a far-reaching revision aiming at a general overhaul.1 According to the parliamentary committee in charge, this revision shall finally give birth to a 'new' constitution, meaning that a modified and updated edition of the constitution shall be published in the national official journal (Mémorial). The revised text will then be considered as the Constitution of 2013 or, more likely, of 2014. The Constitution of 1868 is to be repealed. After the previous charters from 1841, 1848 and 1856 and the present text from 1868, it would thus become the fifth constitution of the Grand Duchy. As constitutional history also shows, this would not be the first time that Luxembourg adopts a new constitution following the formal amendment procedure foreseen by the previous document.2 Local politicians and lawyers seem to consider that the academic distinction between 'constitution making' by the will of an original pouvoir constituant and 'constitutional revision' through a parliamentary procedure prescribed by the constitution itself represents rather a gradual difference than a fundamental one. A number of good reasons convinced the Committee on Institutions and Constitutional Affairs of the Chamber of Deputies to introduce on 21 April 2009 a revision proposal aiming to modify and re-arrange the out-dated Constitution of 1868. While several initiatives for a general revision of the Constitution have been undertaken since the 1970s, none has been successful. Only fractional revisions were adopted in a century and a half. Between 1919 and 2009, no less than thirty-four amendments are listed, the last dating from 12 March 2009. Having occurred at different times and on various aspects, they have certainly undermined the coherence of the initial text. Nonetheless, the Constitution still includes a majority of provisions dating back to its origins. The main reasons put forward by the drafters of the revision proposal are: first, to modernize a terminology somewhat out-dated; second, to adapt the legal text to the political reality by re-writing the constitution and make it coincide with the 'living constitution' as reflected in the functioning of institutions, and third, to incorporate into the written constitution provisions relating to succession to the throne currently contained in a legal document of uncertain value, namely the Family Compact of the House of Nassau (Nassauischer Erbfolgeverein) of 1783. Almost four years after its launch, this amendment procedure, still far from being accomplished, is now, in February 2013, in a sufficiently advanced stage to allow some general commentaries. Given the limited format of this country report, the following remarks will focus on a brief presentation of the applicable revision procedure and a provisional scrutiny of some of the most substantial amendments under discussion. [less ▲]

Constitution du Grand-duché de Luxembourg

Book published by Service central de législation (2013)

The relation between the Charter and the Convention – how to solve conflicts?

Scientific Conference (2012, October 22)

La belligérance des juges est-elle contagieuse?

Article for general public (2012)

L'obligation du juge 'a quo' de se conformer à l'arrêt préjudiciel rendu par la Cour Constitutionnelle

in Pasicrisie Luxembourgeoise: Recueil Trimestriel de la Jurisprudence Luxembourgeoise (2012), (1), 479-511

La refonte de la constitution luxembourgeoise en débat

Book published by Larcier (2010)

La refonte d’une Constitution est une affaire sérieuse. Le chantier mis en route par la proposition de révision « portant modification et nouvel ordonnancement de la Constitution» en avril 2009 marque de ... [more ▼]

La refonte d’une Constitution est une affaire sérieuse. Le chantier mis en route par la proposition de révision « portant modification et nouvel ordonnancement de la Constitution» en avril 2009 marque de ce fait un moment crucial dans la vie politique. D’autant plus que la réforme, qui favorise l’adoption d’une nouvelle Constitution, est susceptible de déboucher sur un référendum. Pour contribuer à ce débat passionnant et stimuler une discussion publique, la Faculté de Droit et la section luxembourgeoise de l’Institut International de Droit d’Expression et d’Inspiration Françaises (IDEF) ont alors décidé de s’associer pour organiser un colloque scientifique. Cette manifestation, qui a réuni d’éminents juristes et de hauts magistrats venant de la France, de la Belgique et du Luxembourg, s’est tenue les 17 et 18 mai 2010, sous les auspices du ministre de la Justice, Monsieur François Biltgen. Soutenu par le Fonds National de la Recherche, le présent ouvrage en reproduit les actes. Chacun des trois thèmes retenus: les droits fondamentaux, l’autorité de la Constitution et les questions institutionnelles, fait l’objet d’éclairages externes et internes. En complément aux analyses et commentaires des auteurs assemblés, l’ouvrage reproduit les principaux textes et documents disponibles sur le sujet. Le lecteur pourra ainsi consulter dans ce même volume: la Constitution de 1868, mise à jour; la proposition de refonte du 21 avril 2009; une table de concordance ainsi qu’une comparaison synoptique des deux textes; l’avis intérimaire de la « Commission de Venise» et des tableaux récapitulatifs de la jurisprudence de la Cour constitutionnelle. [less ▲]

Le mécanisme de la révision constitutionnelle au Grand-Duché de Luxembourg

in Journal des Tribunaux Luxembourg (2009), (6), 174-180

Préface - S. Bot, Le mandat d'arrêt européen

in Bot, Sophie (Ed.) Le mandat d’arrêt européen (2009)