AGP Executive Report

Women’s Safety March: Hundreds marched through Luxembourg City from Hamilius to the Chamber of Deputies under “Ask for Angela,” calling out what they say is too little action after assaults and harassment cases. EU Migration Crackdown: EU interior ministers met in Luxembourg and backed tougher return rules, including “return hubs” outside the EU, while Greece pushed for a temporary suspension of asylum applications during mass arrivals. Border Tech Boost: The European Commission added €130m for border drones and counter-drone systems, taking total border-surveillance investment above €500m. Justice & Rights: EU justice ministers discussed stronger safeguards for journalists facing threats and abusive lawsuits, and advanced Eurojust reform to tackle serious cross-border crime. Business in Luxembourg: Hawksford merged three Luxembourg units into Hawksford (Luxembourg) SA, consolidating corporate and fund services under one regulated entity. Local Politics: A new initiative backed by 39 mayors wants the voting age lowered to 16 for 2029 municipal elections.

EU Border Crackdown: Greece is pushing the EU to let member states suspend asylum applications during mass-migration surges, citing Ceuta, as ministers in Luxembourg also backed tougher return rules including “return hubs” outside the EU. Border Tech Boost: The European Commission added €130m for border drones and counter-drone systems, taking border-surveillance investment above €500m. Justice & Rights: EU justice ministers discussed strengthening journalist protections and moved Eurojust reform forward to better tackle serious cross-border crime. Local Democracy: 39 mayors back lowering the voting age to 16 for the 2029 municipal elections, aiming to reopen the 2015 referendum debate. Luxembourg Business: Hawksford (Luxembourg) SA completes the merger of United Luxembourg, Equiom Luxembourg and YT Investor Services, consolidating PSF licences under one group. Society & Culture: Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie held a Moselle Joyeuse Entrée in Ehnen, meeting locals and schoolchildren. Health & Environment: A study on “forever chemicals” (PFAS) in Croatia includes Luxembourg participants, with Croatian subjects speaking out about high readings. Tech & Security: Luxembourg-headquartered Osavul raised €8.5m to expand AI threat detection for businesses and critical infrastructure.

EU Migration Clampdown: EU ministers in Luxembourg gave final approval to tougher return rules, including broader penalties for people ordered to leave and “return hubs” outside the EU, after the 70,000-migrant Ceuta surge. Border Tech Boost: The European Commission added €130m for drone and counter-drone border surveillance, pushing total border-surveillance investment past €500m. Justice & Rights: EU justice ministers debated stronger journalist protections amid threats and abusive lawsuits, while also advancing Eurojust reform to strengthen cross-border crime cooperation. Luxembourg Business: Hawksford (Luxembourg) SA completed the merger of United Luxembourg, Equiom Luxembourg and YT Investor Services, creating a single regulated group with 70+ staff. Cyber Security Funding: Luxembourg-headquartered Osavul raised €8.5m to expand its AI threat-detection platform for cyber, physical and information operations. Health & Environment: A PFAS “forever chemicals” study includes Luxembourg among tested countries, with Croatian participants speaking out about high levels. Culture & Society: Grand Duchess Stephanie hosted her first state banquet since taking the throne, welcoming Finland’s president and wife.

EU Return Regulation: EU interior ministers meeting in Luxembourg gave final approval to the new return rules, paving the way for “return hubs” outside the bloc, longer detention powers and a common European return order. Migration & asylum pressure: Greece is pushing for EU-wide permission to temporarily suspend asylum applications during mass arrivals, citing the Ceuta surge and arguing it should be treated as border management. Local politics & parliament: Luxembourg’s Chamber of Deputies is modernising its rules and speeding up procedures, while warning that digitalisation also brings cyber risks, including repeated DDOS targeting. Justice visit: European Commissioner Michael McGrath met Justice Minister Elisabeth Margue in Luxembourg, focusing on the EU rule-of-law report and the push to digitalise courts. Business & labour: Luxembourg’s ITM is investigating renewed claims that Amazon’s working practices in Kirchberg sidestep Luxembourg labour code protections, including unpaid overtime and unclear “reasonable hours” expectations. Tech & security: Luxembourg-headquartered Osavul raised €8.5m Series A to expand its hybrid threat intelligence platform used by NATO and security partners. Housing: A Moutfort flat buyer says she’s been left in limbo for two years as construction remains at foundation stage. Sanctions fallout: Ukraine says it will respond to the EU lifting sanctions on Russian oligarchs Usmanov and Fridman by preparing restrictions on 20 more oligarchs.

EU Migration Talks in Luxembourg: Interior ministers met in Luxembourg to discuss stronger border controls and agreed a new regulation aimed at speeding up deportations, including “return hubs” outside the EU for people who must leave but can’t be returned immediately. Greece Asylum Push: Greece’s migration minister proposed suspending the right to apply for asylum during mass influxes, allowing faster returns and “collective pushbacks” in exceptional cases—sparking legal and political debate. EU Law Pressure on Member States: The European Commission published its latest infringement decisions, including action against Sweden over urban wastewater rules, while also closing 87 cases where issues were resolved. Luxembourg Business & Finance: The Payments Association acquired its Luxembourg-based EU sister group, keeping it in Luxembourg and expanding a combined network of 350+ members. Local Culture: Armenia marked its 35th independence anniversary with a reception in Luxembourg, attended by officials, diplomats, and the Armenian community. Tech & Security: Luxembourg-based Osavul raised €8.5m in a Series A to expand its AI system for detecting hostile intent across cyber, physical and information domains. Sports (Luxembourg angle): Iceland host managerless Bulgaria in UEFA Nations League action after beating Luxembourg 3-0 earlier this month.

EU Court Move on NGOs: Greece’s top administrative court struck down parts of the country’s NGO registry rules for refugee and migrant groups, sending key points to the EU Court of Justice—another blow to “LexNGO” restrictions. Luxembourg Business & Finance: The Payments Association bought its Luxembourg-based EU sister group, TPA EU, keeping its base in Luxembourg and aiming to expand cross-border payments links. Local Politics & Housing: Five Luxembourg youth parties formed an alliance to push urgent action on the housing crisis, proposing measures like a vacant housing register and vacancy taxes (with the ADR youth wing left out). Work-Life Policy: Luxembourg is discussing a scheme letting employees cut working hours by up to 10% for childcare under 13, with unions warning it could mainly help higher earners. Health Research: New EASD findings look at real-world use of GLP-1 drugs in children and young people in Germany, Austria and Luxembourg. Tech & Law: Google asked the Luxembourg General Court to pause an EU order forcing it to share search data with rivals, citing privacy risks. Culture in Luxembourg: CinEast’s 19th edition spotlights Luxembourg co-productions and a Luxembourg–CEE short film night, with Jean Asselborn among guests.

EU Migration Crackdown: Home affairs ministers meet in Luxembourg to push tougher returns, including detention powers and “return hubs” outside the bloc, with Rwanda named as a possible host. Luxembourg Tax Reform: MPs back a draft to replace three personal income tax classes with a single unified “Class U” schedule from 1 January 2028, with a 25-year transition and an estimated €850m first-year cost. Work-Life Policy: Social partners debate a plan letting employees cut working hours by up to 10% for family reasons, with unions warning it could mainly help higher earners. Tech & Competition: Google asks the EU General Court to pause an order to share search data with rivals and AI chatbot providers, citing privacy risks. Bilateral Ties: Ghana and Luxembourg agree to start talks on a possible visa waiver with Benelux, alongside cooperation on jobs, digital tech, agro-processing and industrial transformation. Business & Media: SES extends its direct-to-home satellite capacity deal with Sky for the UK and Ireland. Local Housing Pressure: Youth wings of Luxembourg’s main parties unite to demand urgent action on the housing crisis, excluding the ADR youth section.

Luxembourg–Ghana Diplomacy: Ghana and Luxembourg have agreed to start talks on a visa waiver deal, aiming to boost people-to-people travel and broader cooperation, including value-added industries, digital tech and agro-processing. EU Energy Policy: Spain, Portugal and Luxembourg are pushing for a new EU renewables target for 2040, as governments try to keep energy costs and climate goals aligned. Local Business & Finance: Luxembourg’s role in the Fridman delisting dispute is back in the spotlight, feeding international debate over sanctions and market access. Corporate Governance: Art Share 002 (ARTX: BAC1EU) says its annual report for 2025 will be delayed because its audit is taking longer than expected. Tech & Infrastructure: Opengear expands its European distribution via Ingram Micro, adding coverage that includes Belgium and Luxembourg. International Watch: Turkey’s main opposition alleges ministers used offshore accounts linked to Luxembourg and the Netherlands in a fund scandal.

Sustainable Finance: The Colombo Stock Exchange and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) opened applications for free technical help for issuers planning Green, Social, Sustainable and Sustainability Linked (GSS+) bond frameworks, including Second Party Opinion coordination and first-year impact reporting, with the deadline set for 26 October 2026. Local Governance: Steinsel’s mayoral council will change as DP alderman Claude Schintgen resigns effective 1 October, with the council proposing Guy Schiltz (LSAP) as his replacement. Transport & Innovation: Inceptio Technology and Arthur Welter Transports signed an MoU to explore autonomous freight trucking in Luxembourg and nearby areas, building on Inceptio’s work with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. EU Policy Watch: Spain, Portugal and Luxembourg urged the EU to set a 2040 renewable energy target, setting up a clash with countries backing nuclear-inclusive “clean energy” goals. Culture & Society: CinÉast’s 19th edition runs 9–25 October in Luxembourg with 120+ screenings and a focus on “Crossroads,” while Luxembourg’s Grand Duke and PM Luc Frieden are among European figures attending Pope Leo XIV events in Metz.

EU Energy Talks: Spain, Portugal and Luxembourg are pushing for a 2040 renewables target, setting up a clash with countries backing a “clean energy” goal that could include nuclear. Tech & Courts: Google has appealed EU orders requiring it to share search data and open Android to AI rivals, arguing it would harm privacy and security; the case is in Luxembourg’s top court. Local Governance & Housing: A new Ministry of Housing report says Luxembourg’s private landlords are typically older, wealthier retirees, with rental income averaging €30,000 a year. Security & Defence: Luxembourg’s Army held a change-of-command ceremony in Mersch Park as General Steve Thull handed leadership to General Claude Robinet. Business & Finance: Cecabank is extending regulated crypto custody into Luxembourg via MiCA passporting, after opening a branch about 18 months ago. UN & Diplomacy: UN reporting from the General Assembly highlights rising calls for more trust and permanent seats, especially for Africa and climate-threatened island states. Sports: UEFA Nations League coverage includes Spain vs Croatia and Czechia vs England, both after opening defeats.

EU Defence & Ukraine: EU defence ministers in Brussels agreed how to distribute €6.6bn from the European Peace Facility, with air defence, EUMAM Ukraine and readiness upgrades at the top of the agenda. Sanctions Politics: Reporting says “easy targets” in EU Russia sanctions are largely gone, pushing member states to use sanctions lists as bargaining chips—while Lithuania has moved to impose national sanctions on Usmanov and Fridman after EU delisting. Pope Leo XIV & Europe: In Metz, the Pope urged Europe to resist nationalism and “give up some positions” for peace, invoking Robert Schuman and multilateralism. Luxembourg Housing Snapshot: A Housing Observatory report says the typical Luxembourg landlord is Luxembourgish, retired and wealthy, with rental income averaging €30,000 a year. Local Agriculture: Luxembourg fruit growers warn drought and heat cut volumes and call for more water storage and irrigation access. UN Human Rights: UN rights officials identified 214 companies linked to Israeli settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Pope in Metz: Pope Leo XIV wrapped up his France visit in the border city of Metz, urging Europe to return to its Christian roots while welcoming migrants and backing multilateralism as the antidote to the “desire for domination.” Robert Schuman spotlight: The speeches and events repeatedly tied the message to Robert Schuman’s Luxembourg-linked legacy and the post-war push for European unity. Local drone debate: Luxembourg’s Pirate Party MP Sven Clement hit the government’s drone-incident communications as “catastrophic,” warning the country is facing faster-moving hybrid and digital threats. Civil courage data: Luxembourg courts convicted 22 people between 2021 and 2025 for failing to assist someone in danger, with ministers pointing to ongoing awareness campaigns. Health tech: Tandem Mobi, an automated insulin delivery system, is now available in Luxembourg among 12 new countries. Travel and daily life: EasyJet will suspend Luxembourg–Lisbon flights from 11 January to 7 February; a scooter rider on the CR152 suffered memory loss after a crash.

EU Politics & Far Right: France’s National Rally has won enough seats in the Senate to form its first parliamentary group, a milestone that underlines how fast far-right momentum is reshaping European conservative politics. Pope in France: Pope Leo XIV condemned assisted suicide and euthanasia during his Lourdes visit, while immigration debates are now front and centre as he heads to Metz near Luxembourg and Germany. Security & NATO: Germany says Russian hybrid attacks are escalating, including a drone plot targeting a refuelled Ukrainian aircraft at Leipzig Airport. Luxembourg in Focus: Luxembourgish students gathered in Aachen for REEL, debating gerontocracy and the future viability of the country. Economy & Policy: Finance Minister Gilles Roth says Luxembourg’s planned tax reform will cost €880m in 2028, but argues revenue growth gives the government room to deliver. International Ties: Luxembourg pledged €15m to Benin’s CAP-PORT for port and logistics training, though key details like beneficiary numbers and timelines remain unclear. Sports: Portugal beat Norway 2-1 in the Nations League; Luxembourg’s own Nations League match saw Bulgaria beat Luxembourg 1-2.

UEFA Nations League: Spain kicked off its title defence by beating England 3-2 at Wembley, with Mikel Oyarzabal scoring and Luka Modrić helping Croatia win 2-1; Luxembourg’s own Nations League action also saw Bulgaria beat Luxembourg 1-2. Local culture: Luxembourgish Language Day returns with 72 events nationwide, including LëtzCamp at the National Institute of Languages. Economy & policy: Finance Minister Gilles Roth says Luxembourg’s planned tax reform will cost €880m in 2028, but he argues revenue growth gives “headroom” for the 2027 budget. International legal fight: The US has asked the EU’s General Court to intervene in Elon Musk/X’s challenge to a €120m European Commission fine. Development cooperation: Luxembourg pledged €15m for Benin’s CAP-PORT port and logistics training, targeting youth and women, though key details like start dates and beneficiaries weren’t specified. Sports & lifestyle: A profile spotlights 24-year-old conductor Sidney Scho, while Steampunk weekend returns to Minett Park Fond-de-Gras.

Luxembourg–Benin Jobs Deal: Luxembourg has pledged €15m (over 9.8bn FCFA) for CAP-PORT port and logistics training in Benin, signed in New York alongside the UN General Assembly. The programme targets youth and women aged 18–35, low-skilled workers and current port staff, with courses covering equipment/vehicle maintenance, safety, document compliance and digital systems—though key details like locations, start dates and beneficiary numbers were not published. Tax Reform Debate: Finance Minister Gilles Roth says Luxembourg’s planned tax reform would cost €880m in 2028, but argues revenue growth gives the government room to deliver it while keeping spending controlled; the Greens say the plan is too expensive and lack solidarity. UN Blacklist Update: The UN human rights office added 61 companies to its blacklist tied to activities in Israeli settlements, bringing the total to 214, including firms based in Luxembourg. Digital Rules in Court: The US has asked to intervene in Luxembourg-based EU court cases over the €120m fine against X under the Digital Services Act, arguing Brussels overreached. Culture & Language: Luxembourgish Language Day returns with 72 events nationwide, including an INLL “LëtzCamp” forum to shape the next action plan for the language.

EU Digital Clash: The US Justice Department has asked to intervene in Luxembourg-based EU court cases challenging a €120m European Commission fine against Elon Musk’s X, arguing Brussels overreached beyond its jurisdiction. Energy Rules Pressure: The European Commission opened infringement proceedings against Luxembourg and 17 other states over incomplete electricity market rule transposition, and separately launched action against 26 countries over hydrogen and gas market rules. UN Settlements List: The UN human rights office added 61 companies to its blacklist tied to illegal Israeli settlements, bringing the total to 214, including firms based in Luxembourg. Local Culture: Luxembourgish Language Day returns with 72 events nationwide, including a major forum at the National Institute of Languages Luxembourg. Community & Society: The Greens say they won’t support proposed Luxembourg tax reforms, arguing the plan’s “percentages” won’t help people buy essentials. Tech & Finance: PayPal paused crypto purchases for Luxembourg users while it collects OECD CARF tax-residency data. Weekend Picks: Steampunk takes over Minett Park Fond-de-Gras, and CinEast 2026 unveiled its full programme.