Sunday, 10 November 2013

Luxembourg holds snap election after spying scandal - BBC News

Voters in Luxembourg have gone to the polls in a snap election sparked by a secret service and corruption scandal.

Jean-Claude Juncker's coalition cabinet collapsed in July amid claims he had failed to stop illegal security agency activities, including phone-tapping.

He had headed Luxembourg's government as PM since 1995, longer than any other elected leader in Europe.

But the centre-left, the Liberals and the Greens are now hoping to win enough seats to form a coalition government.

With Mr Juncker's image badly dented, there is the possibility that this time they will win a majority between them, putting together a cabinet that excludes the centre-right, the BBC's Europe correspondent Christian Fraser reports.

Damning report

Polling stations in the Grand Duchy opened at 08:00 (06:00 GMT) and closed at 14:00 (12:00 GMT).

Early results are expected later on Sunday.

Mr Juncker was head of the Eurogroup of eurozone finance ministers from 2005-13.

But the coalition government of Mr Juncker's centre-right Christian Social People's Party and the Socialists unravelled in July.

Critics at home have accused him of failing to focus on pressing domestic issues.

Earlier this year, the parliament reviewed a report alleging the allegations against the SREL security agency, which Mr Juncker oversees.

It included claims of illegal bugging of politicians, the purchase of cars for private use and payments in exchange for access to local officials.

Mr Juncker has denied any wrongdoing.

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