André Hoffmann, head of déi Lénk electoral list (Luxembourg)
André Hoffmann on the 9th May in a déi Lénk's meeting during the visit of Gregor Gysi (click on the link at the bottom of the page)
EL News - According to the Eurobarometer poll in November 2008, 88% of people in Luxembourg considered that the economic situation of the country was better than in the EU. However, this perception varies widely between managers/“white collars” and hand/house workers. According to the demographic and economic profile of your country, can you comment on this?
André Hoffmann - It is true that the GDP in Luxembourg is largely higher than the European average; this is mainly due to the weight of the financial « city ». But the social situation is far from being brilliant.
Poorness is increasing and 14% people are already living under the poverty level. The minimum wage, higher than in our neighbouring countries, is however below the poverty level. 10% of workers are « working poor’s »... and their employment doesn’t allow overcoming this poverty limit.
The salary share in the added value of the economy has decreased along the last decades, at the same time that the profits have raised. The tax policy of the government (favouring profits, high incomes and fortunes) has lead to a redistribution from the bottom to the top, and thus to social inequality.
EL News - Although Luxembourg has a reputation of prosperity, there seems to be a decreasing attractiveness for immigration, for example. Bearing in mind the financial crisis and prospects of changes in financial regulation, what does the Left think about the evolution of the country’s economy model and its position in the EU (ie, its contribution to Europe, as well as its membership benefits)?
André Hoffmann - Following the declining of the steel industry (which was the economical and social basis of the modernization of the country), consecutive governments have neglected industrial development and economic diversification, playing with the sovereignty of a small country, deregulation and tax benefits to develop economical « niches », essentially the financial sector.
But with the current crisis, this pillar starts trembling. The « Left » is well aware that the sector must be subject to strong regulation: at the European level, a harmonization towards the top must prevent any fiscal dumping, the same way that strong social regulations are needed to avoid social dumping.
EL News - What are your opinions and proposals about the financial requirements and general strategy for a European policy of defence? Do we need it?
André Hoffmann - First of all, we are against the provisions of the Lisbon Treaty (as we were against those of the Constitutional Treaty) that oblige member states to increase their military budget. We are for the dissolution of NATO, and refuse both the submission to the imperial policy of the USA and a European imitation of that policy. On the contrary, Europe should favour peaceful solutions of conflicts – according to international law.