06. Who May Vote – and for Whom? Power Struggles in 1848
1848: Revolution in Luxembourg - An Exhibition by the National Archives and the Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg
When unrest erupts in Luxembourg, the right to petition is still regulated by the 1841 Constitution – only municipalities can submit requests. Yet, countless citizens appeal directly to the King-Grand Duke, demanding reforms and driving political change.
Print as a New Power
Press Freedom
As in this petition from Diekirch, people across the country loudly demand freedom of the press. From March 15, 1848, censorship is lifted. Newspapers become central players in public debate.
A Political Voice for the Church
Catholic circles create their own voice: On March 23, the Luxemburger Wort publishes its first edition. The paper advocates abolishing the electoral census and defends Catholic values against liberal influence.
Not only newspapers, but also direct petitions to the monarch increase. The call for reforms grows louder.
Voices Rising for a New Constitution
On March 20, 1848, the residents of Wiltz address the King-Grand Duke directly, demanding the immediate proclamation of a liberal constitution. Their plea reflects the growing pressure on the authorities.
The more citizens speak up, the greater the challenge for the government.
The Civil List in the Crosshairs
For the first time, citizens openly criticise the monarch. Numerous petitions demand a reduction of the civil list.
The Road to the Constituent Assembly
New technologies transform communication. High-speed presses enable mass distribution of posters, pamphlets, and newspapers. Petitions and leaflets carry demands straight to the authorities—while officials use posters, the opposition relies on secretly shared flyers.
April 3, 1848
The government proclaims the election of a Constituent Assembly, citing the monarch’s concessions. 74 deputies are to be elected.
Struggle over the Vote: Reform vs. Status Quo
New political camps emerge in Luxembourg in 1848: The government-aligned Friends of Order support the monarchy and the census-based voting system. Progressive liberals want to lower the electoral census. Charles André’s democratic Workers' Committee demands universal suffrage. He distances himself from the republic. The Catholic Comité advocates school and voting rights freedom and defends the Apostolic Vicar.
Voting under Old Law?
A public dispute erupts over the election of the Constituent Assembly: Should it follow the 1841 Constitution? Government-aligned politicians defend the process, fearing revolution.
Fear and State of Emergency
The federal garrison trains to handle potential unrest.
Military exercise of the Prussian Federal garrison at Fort Charles (1887) by Michel EngelsChambre des Députés, Grand-Duché de Luxembourg
As the suffrage debate intensifies, so do fears of further unrest. After the March 16 riots, Governor de la Fontaine fears new violence and requests the Prussian garrison to declare a state of siege.
"Only Soldiers Can Deal with Democrats" (1815-1820) by Gebrüder Schickler, PotsdamChambre des Députés, Grand-Duché de Luxembourg
Tensions rise in the city, and any order could trigger the decisive moment. Soldiers must not provoke – only secure. A rifle in hand can mean protection, but also escalation.
Between duty and grief: Commander von Wulffen, marked by the death of his son in Berlin’s barricade fights, urges the government to act with restraint. The garrison must secure the fortress—without fuelling escalation.
Governor de la Fontaine nevertheless calls for security measures. On April 25, he asks the Prussian commander to place the fortress under siege status – a drastic request. The commander refuses to comply.
The meeting place of the Constituent Assembly in Ettelbrück (1878) by Louis JacobyChambre des Députés, Grand-Duché de Luxembourg
Ettelbruck instead of the capital
Von Wulffen advises the government to relocate the Constituent Assembly. The government follows his advice, and the first session takes place on April 25, 1848, in the Ettelbruck primary school.
Venue of the Constituent Assembly in Ettelbruck, 1848 and 2025
Protest in Verse: Workers Demand to Be Heard
Not everyone is satisfied with how events unfold. The workers’ movement, in particular, feels ignored.
Grund : Work, Social contrasts, and Political impulses (1834-1836) by Nicolas Liez/ Nicolas ReuterChambre des Députés, Grand-Duché de Luxembourg
the Workers' Committee
Under Charles André’s leadership, the Workers' Committee consists mainly of workers and craftsmen from the Alzette valley districts of Grund, Clausen, and Pfaffenthal.
The radicalization of the workers' committee (26.04.1848) by UnknownChambre des Députés, Grand-Duché de Luxembourg
A "Lord’s Prayer" as Protest
After being denied the opportunity to present their demands to the Constituent Assembly on April 25, André calls for a meeting in Hess’s Garden in Clausen on April 26. The leaflet includes a satirical poem about the king in the form of a "Lord’s Prayer."
A temporary alliance (30.04.1848) by Luxemburger WortChambre des Députés, Grand-Duché de Luxembourg
At the Clausen assembly, workers, craftsmen, liberal Freemasons, and representatives of the Catholic Comité gather. Their shared criticism targets the Constituent Assembly's legitimacy. The Luxemburger Wort publishes and favourably comments on their protest declaration.
As the Constituent Assembly establishes itself, the government closely monitors developments in the country.
Return to the Capital: Safety First
The Meeting Place of the Constituent Assembly in Luxembourg (1837) by Jean-Auguste MarcChambre des Députés, Grand-Duché de Luxembourg
As of May 18, 1848, the Constituent Assembly moves from Ettelbruck to the capital, Luxembourg City.
Venue of the Constituent Assembly in the capital, 1848 and 2025
Fearing unrest, the government strengthens police measures around the Constituent Assembly in the capital from May 18, 1848, to suppress protests.
Entry by Permission Only
The governor’s access card to the Constituent Assembly.
All Quiet!
On April 28, 1848, Governor de la Fontaine reports to the King-Grand Duke: The Constituent Assembly is in session, unrest has subsided – order is restored.
Council President de la Fontaine emphasises the moderate stance of the Constituent Assembly’s members.
An Unofficial Line to The Hague
However, not all information flows through official channels. Some actors take communication into their own hands.
François-Xavier Wurth-Paquet bypasses official channels and reports directly to William II on the Constituent Assembly and its debates.
Concern in Belgium
It is not just domestic actors watching events unfold. Foreign nations also turn their eyes to Luxembourg.
On 27 April 1848, Belgium’s foreign minister asks his envoy in Berlin how Prussia might react if a republic were proclaimed in Luxembourg.
New Elections, New Alliances
Luxembourg is a member of the German Confederation and must therefore participate in elections for the Frankfurt National Assembly. These follow a two-stage process. However, unlike the Constituent Assembly, there is no census requirement in the first round. This opens the door for new political forces – and unusual alliances.
André’s workers' party and the Catholic bourgeoisie unite under the Volkspartei for the non-census-based election of electors. These select Luxembourg’s representatives for the Frankfurt National Assembly (May 7–9). Michel Jonas and Charles-Gérard Eyschen run for the Comité.
A Campaign in Words
In a campaign pamphlet for the first round of the St. Paul's Church elections, André calls the Friends of Order a dying bureaucratic party. Participation in the non-census-based election remains low. Government-aligned candidates fail in the first round nationwide.
Limited Participation – the Census System Remains
The Constituent Assembly establishes a new electoral law: On September 28, 1848, the first parliamentary elections take place via direct, secret, census-based majority voting. With a 10-franc voting census, political participation remains limited to a wealthy (male) minority.
Liberal Unity over Division!
Ahead of the parliamentary elections, a pamphlet – likely from the conservative liberal camp – calls for unity. The authors urge their readers to bridge internal divisions to avoid political fragmentation.
Electoral Shift without a Change in Government
In the parliamentary elections, the conservative liberals, in power since 1841, suffer defeat. Progressive liberals and Catholics prevail. Yet despite losing the election, the government remains in office with William II’s backing.
The fight for political participation and voting rights shaped 1848—and continues today. Who (is allowed to) vote for whom? This question still arises in new social and political contexts.
For more information on the requirements for (municipal) voting eligibility in 2025, click here.
This how it continues: 07. Unity or Independence? Luxembourg’s Position on the German Confederation in 1848
Click here to access the overview of the 10 stories from the exhibition “1848: Revolution in Luxembourg”.
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