Women’s Right to Vote in Luxembourg
Women’s Day Luxembourg / May 8, (1919)
Women’s Right to Vote in Luxembourg: A Path to Political Equality
On May 8, 1919, Luxembourg officially granted women the right to vote when the Chamber of Deputies amended the electoral law, establishing universal suffrage for all citizens aged 21 and older. This landmark legislation marked Luxembourg as one of the more progressive European nations regarding women’s political rights, adopting female suffrage earlier than many of its neighbors.
Historical Context
Prior to 1919, Luxembourg’s political landscape was defined by a limited form of male suffrage based on tax qualifications. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw increasing pressure for democratic reforms across Europe, and Luxembourg was not immune to these influences. The end of World War I, which had severely impacted Luxembourg despite its neutrality, created an atmosphere conducive to significant political change.
The constitutional crisis of 1918-1919 following Grand Duchess Marie-Adélaïde’s controversial reign accelerated democratic reforms. After Marie-Adélaïde abdicated in favor of her sister Charlotte in January 1919, the new government moved swiftly to implement democratic changes, including women’s suffrage.
The Legislative Process
The law granting women’s voting rights was part of a broader electoral reform package. On May 8, 1919, the Chamber of Deputies approved an amendment to the electoral law, establishing universal suffrage based on proportional representation. The law stated:
“All Luxembourgish citizens, without distinction of sex, aged 21 years and enjoying civil rights, are electors.”
The first election in which Luxembourg women could participate took place on October 26, 1919, significantly altering the nation’s political landscape.
Key Female Figures in Luxembourg’s Suffrage Movement
Aline Mayrisch-de Saint-Hubert (1874-1947)
While not exclusively focused on suffrage, Mayrisch was a prominent intellectual and feminist whose salon brought together progressive thinkers. She founded the first women’s organization in Luxembourg in 1906 and advocated for women’s education and political rights.
Marguerite Thomas-Clement (1886-1979)
Perhaps the most significant figure in this history, Thomas-Clement became Luxembourg’s first female parliamentarian when she was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 1919. A dedicated socialist and feminist, she used her position to advocate for various women’s rights beyond suffrage, including married women’s legal status and equal pay.
Louise Welter (1885-1921)
As a teacher and women’s rights activist, Welter helped organize Luxembourg’s feminist movement during its crucial early years. Despite her short life, she contributed significantly to the movement that ultimately achieved voting rights.
Catherine Schleimer-Kill (1884-1973)
A journalist and advocate for social reforms, Schleimer-Kill used her writing to promote women’s rights and was among the first generation of women to exercise their new political rights in Luxembourg.
Contributing Factors
Several key factors contributed to the relatively early adoption of women’s suffrage in Luxembourg:
- The democratic reforms following World War I and the constitutional crisis
- Influence from neighboring countries where women’s movements were gaining momentum
- The need to establish democratic legitimacy for the new government under Grand Duchess Charlotte
- The work of early feminist organizations, particularly the “Action Féminine” (Women’s Action) group founded in 1917
Implementation and Impact
The first election with female participation in 1919 saw four women candidates, with Marguerite Thomas-Clement becoming the sole female deputy elected. While this represented modest initial representation, it marked a crucial first step. Women’s political participation in Luxembourg gradually increased throughout the 20th century.
The introduction of women’s suffrage coincided with other democratic reforms, including the adoption of proportional representation and mandatory voting, which together transformed Luxembourg’s political landscape.
Luxembourg in European Context
Luxembourg’s 1919 suffrage law positioned it ahead of many European nations, including France (1944), Italy (1945), Belgium (1948), and Switzerland (1971). However, it came after pioneering countries like Finland (1906) and Norway (1913).
This middle-of-the-pack timing reflected Luxembourg’s position as a small nation influenced by both progressive Nordic models and the more conservative traditions of its immediate neighbors.
Legacy
The achievement of women’s suffrage in Luxembourg on May 8, 1919, represented more than just the right to vote—it signified a fundamental shift in the conception of citizenship and political participation. While full gender equality in politics remained distant (Luxembourg did not have its first female Prime Minister until 2013 with Paulette Lenert), the 1919 suffrage law established the essential legal foundation upon which future progress could build.
Today, Luxembourg celebrates this history as an important element of its democratic tradition, recognizing the significance of that pivotal moment when the nation formally acknowledged women’s right to participate fully in political life, forever changing the character of Luxembourgish democracy.
Affichons l’égalité
Motivated by the observation that, in Luxembourg as a whole, the number of streets named after women is far fewer than those named after men, the “Affichons l’égalité” gender equality initiative, launched by the Conseil national des femmes du Luxembourg (National Women’s Council of Luxembourg), seeks to raise public and political awareness of the need to increase the visibility of deserving women in the public space.
As a staunch promoter of gender equality, the City is taking part in this project by giving eights streets honorary new names as a tribute to deserving women from various backgrounds. These trailblazers challenged gender stereotypes and helped reshape Luxembourg society. In Luxembourg City, 401 streets are named after men, but only 54 are named after women – a major disparity that the City plans to rectify in the coming years.
> vdl.lu/affichons-legalite-gender-equality-initiative
A short history of women’s rights & achievements in Luxembourg
In the run-up to International Women’s Day on March 8, wort.lu/en interviewed women in Luxembourg from a variety of sectors about anything from being a working mum to what needs to be done to better support women in the Grand Duchy.
> luxtimes.lu/a-short-history-of-women-s-rights-achievements-in-luxembourg