Werner-Thorn Ministry

The Werner-Thorn Ministry was the government of Luxembourg between 16 July 1979 and 20 July 1984.

It was a coalition between the Christian Social People's Party (CSV), and the Democratic Party.

The CSV emerged the winner of the election of 10 June 1979. It increased its number of Deputies from 18 to 24. The Democratic Party managed to resist the weakening of power, and even gained one seat, reaching a total of 15 Deputies. The parties of the left experienced a heavy defeat. The Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party's share of the vote fell to 22,5%, its worst result since the war; it received 14 seats. The Communist Party lost half of its votes, and was left with only two Deputies. As to the Social Democratic Party, it did not manage to carve out a durable place on the political scene, and shrank to a tiny group with only two seats.

The two winners, the CSV and the DP, formed a coalition government under Pierre Werner.

Over the course of the legislative period, several ministerial reshuffles took place. Jean Wolter died on 22 February 1980, and was replaced by Jean Spautz, a former metal-worker and trade unionist. From 22 November 1980, Colette Flesch succeeded Gaston Thorn, who was appointed to head the Commission of the European Communities. On 3 December 1982, Camille Ney resigned for health reasons. Ernest Muhlen was promoted to minister, while Jean-Claude Juncker joined the government as Secretary of State for Work and Social Security.

In the period 1979-1984, two problems dominated the relations between Luxembourg and its neighbours. The first was that of the construction of a nuclear power plant by France in Cattenom; the other was the long-term question of the seat of the European Parliament.

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