Free Party of Luxembourg
Encyclopedia
The Free Party of Luxembourg , abbreviated as FPL, was a political party
in Luxembourg
.
for the Chamber of Deputies
. It fielded 8 candidates, none of whom was elected. The party totalled 0.1% of votes cast nationally, finishing last of the eight party lists. Following the 2004 legislative elections, the party had difficulty in continuing to organise.
region of Luxembourg. This is a sparsely-populated area characterised by its relative isolation from the south of Luxembourg
.
The FPL's founder, Jean Ersfeld
, is a local personality with a limited following in that region. The party's manifesto was essentially right-wing and nationalist
, seeking to appeal to the rural communities in the north.
, such as Monaco
, the European Union
's support for political rights for immigrants has been viewed as particularly problematic.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
.
Foundation and 2004 elections
Founded in 2003, it emerged onto the political scene in the run-up to the 2004 legislative electionsLuxembourgian legislative election, 2004
Legislative elections were held in Luxembourg on 13 June 2004. Voters elected all 60 members of the Grand Duchy's unicameral legislature, the Chamber of Deputies...
for the Chamber of Deputies
Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg
The Chamber of Deputies , abbreviated to the Chamber, is the unicameral national legislature of Luxembourg. 'Krautmaart' is sometimes used as a metonym for the Chamber, after the square on which the Hôtel de la Chambre is located....
. It fielded 8 candidates, none of whom was elected. The party totalled 0.1% of votes cast nationally, finishing last of the eight party lists. Following the 2004 legislative elections, the party had difficulty in continuing to organise.
Regionally based support, leadership, and manifesto
Most of the party's candidates were from the northern OeslingOesling
The Oesling or Ösling is a region covering the northern part of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, within the greater Ardennes area that also covers parts of Belgium and France...
region of Luxembourg. This is a sparsely-populated area characterised by its relative isolation from the south of Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
.
The FPL's founder, Jean Ersfeld
Jean Ersfeld
Jean Ersfeld is a politician from Luxembourg.He founded the Free Party of Luxembourg in 2003 and led it in Luxembourg's legislative elections in 2004. None of the FPL's candidates, including Ersfeld, was elected...
, is a local personality with a limited following in that region. The party's manifesto was essentially right-wing and nationalist
Nationalism
Nationalism is a political ideology that involves a strong identification of a group of individuals with a political entity defined in national terms, i.e. a nation. In the 'modernist' image of the nation, it is nationalism that creates national identity. There are various definitions for what...
, seeking to appeal to the rural communities in the north.
Issues
Among the issues of concern to supporters of the FPL was immigration. As in other small countries of EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, such as Monaco
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
, the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
's support for political rights for immigrants has been viewed as particularly problematic.