Forming The Government
Atypically, Grand Duchess Charlotte decided to intervene in the political sphere, and asked CSV leader Pierre Dupong (who had been Prime Minister since 1937) to form a broader based coalition than Dupong had organised behind his Liberation Government. On 14 November, Dupong invited all four parties in the Chamber of Deputies to unite in his National Union Government. Dupong also included the only independent candidate in the cabinet. As a result, all 51 Deputies were taking the government whip.
The new government had much work to do, and, with no opposition in the legislature, was capable of instituting any plan, provided that the parties could agree policy between themselves. The departmental briefs were handed to cabinet members based upon personal preference. The composition of the first cabinet was:
| Name | Party | Office | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pierre Dupong | CSV | Prime Minister Minister for Finances Minister for the Armed Forces |
|
| Joseph Bech | CSV | Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister for Viticulture |
|
| Pierre Krier | LSAP | Minister for Employment Minister for Social Security Minister for Mines |
|
| Nicholas Margue | CSV | Minister for Education Minister for Religion Minister for the Arts and Science Minister for Agriculture |
|
| Victor Bodson | LSAP | Minister for Justice Minister for Transport Minister for Public Works |
|
| Guillaume Konsbruck | Ind. | Minister for Supply Minister for Economic Affairs |
|
| Eugène Schaus | GD | Minister for the Interior and War Damage | |
| Charles Marx | KPL | Minister for Social Assistance Minister for Public Health |
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Read more about this topic: National Union Government (1945)
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