ABSTRACT
Luxembourg achieved its independence in 1839, although it became part of the German tariff union. Luxembourg joined the Benelux economic union in 1947, and then was a founding member of the then-European Community. A grand duke is the ceremonial head of state. The largest party next to the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) has been the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party. In Luxembourg, there is a high importance placed on individual candidates. In terms of political parties, the most successful has been the CSV, which was formed in 1914. Despite the relative balance of the parties, the larger size of the CSV, combined with their centrist position, has meant that the party provided all but two of the country’s post-World War Two prime ministers.
