Governing The Country
With each member virtually free to decide departmental policy by himself, each took it upon himself to push forward his own pet projects. The CSV pushed for the annexation of those Luxembourgish territories lost to Prussia in the Napoleonic Wars. The LSAP ordered the nationalisation of the railways. The KPL sought to create a welfare state. This system of reign by ministerial diktat was not without its draw-backs.
The arrangement distanced the government from the population, which was forced to accept the patchwork of policies, even though over 40% of Luxembourgers had cast their vote for the CSV. Dupong had been revered as the leader of Luxembourg's government in exile, but his government was fomenting resentment. On 2 August 1946, four officers were arrested for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government. Although they were released without charge, it sent a clear message to the government.
Moreover, ideological differences were forcing the government partners apart. The cabinet divided along ideological lines in exactly the manner that the National Union Government was supposed to prevent. Dupong took exception to the LSAP's plans for the railways, whilst the KPL and LSAP attempted to distance themselves from the CSV's irredentism.
Charles Marx died on 13 June 1946 and was replaced by fellow Communist Party member Dominique Urbany eight days later. In addition, on 29 August, the cabinet was reshuffled, with the independent Guillaume Konsbruck replaced by Lambert Schaus, a CSV member. From that date, the 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 |
|
| Eugène Schaus | GD | Minister for Interior and War Damage | |
| Lambert Schaus | CSV | Minister for Supply Minister for Economic Affairs |
|
| Dominique Urbany | KPL | Minister for Social Assistance Minister for Public Health |
|
Read more about this topic: National Union Government (1945)
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