Luxembourg prime minister to offer resignation
Jul 10, 2013, 8:46 PM
LUXEMBOURG (AP) – Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker says he will offer the resignation of his government on Thursday and call for early elections.
Wednesday’s announcement means the longest reign of a prime minister in the European Union is bound to come to an end. Juncker had been prime minister since 1995 and was head of the eurogroup of nations that share the EU’s common currency between 2005 and early this year.
The Christian Democrat made the move after his Socialist coalition partner withdrew its support and insisted he should take political responsibility for an old secret service scandal which centered on snooping on local politicians. Juncker has denied any knowledge.
The Grand Duchy of 515,000 people bordering France and Germany has been a bedrock of political stability.
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