National Union Government (1916)

The National Union Government was a form of national government headed by Victor Thorn that governed the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg between 24 February 1916 and 19 June 1917, at the height of the First World War. At the time, Luxembourg was occupied by the German Empire, but the occupying Germans had promised not to interfere in the country's political machinations, provided that the Luxembourgish government did not aid Germany's enemies. Nonetheless, political life was dominated by the crisis that had enveloped Europe.

The predicament was exacerbated by the death of Paul Eyschen on 11 October 1915. Eyschen, who had been Prime Minister for twenty seven years, was unrivalled in popularity, and his death plunged Luxembourg deeper into crisis. Eyschen was replaced by Mathias Mongenast, but Mongenast lasted only 25 days before becoming embroiled in a dispute over education and resigning. His next replacement was Hubert Loutsch, who headed up a minority government consisting solely of Catholic conservatives. Grand Duchess Marie Adélaïde hoped that a successful government would easily win the backing of the electorate, but was mistaken; the government failed to win a majority the following month, coming up short with 25 of 52 seats, and would succumb to a vote of no confidence on 11 January 1916 after two months in office.

In response, the Grand Duchess went in the opposite direction, and, on 24 February, chose Victor Thorn to form a national government. Thorn was an experienced politician in his seventies and was thought to be the most conciliatory candidate. When presenting his credentials before the Chamber of Deputies, Thorn declared, "If you want a government that acts, and is capable of acting, it is imperative that all parties support this government." They did, but only on condition that Thorn formed a grand coalition, offering positions in the cabinet to each party. The make up of Thorn's first cabinet was:

Name Party Office Victor Thorn LL Prime Minister Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister for Justice Michel Welter POS Minister for Agriculture Minister for Commerce Minister for Industry Léon Kauffmann PD Minister for Finances Léon Moutrier LL Minister for the Interior Minister for Public Information Antoine Lefort PD Minister for Public Works Source: Thewes (2003), p. 69

To resolve the food shortage brought about by war and German occupation, Thorn introduced price controls and rationing. Thus, the new cabinet comprised:

Name Party Office Victor Thorn LL Prime Minister Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister for Justice Ernest Leclère POS Minister for Agriculture Minister for Commerce Minister for Industry Léon Kauffmann PD Minister for Finances Léon Moutrier LL Minister for the Interior Minister for Public Information Antoine Lefort PD Minister for Public Works Source: Thewes (2003), p. 69

This did little to quell the trouble. Elections in Esch sur Alzette in March showed great public support for independent candidates that opposed the National Unity Government.