Thilges Ministry
The Thilges Ministry formed the government of Luxembourg from 20 February 1885 to 22 September 1888.
Composition
- Édouard Thilges: President of the Government, Minister of State, Director-General for Foreign Affairs
- Paul Eyschen: Director-General for Justice
- Henri Kirpach: Director-General for the Interior
- Mathias Mongenast: Director-General for Finance[1]
Transition
Speculations on the stock market, which appeared like insider trading, brought about the fall of the Blochausen government.[2] After the press revealed the suspicious transactions, the King-Grand Duke asked his Prime Minister to resign.[2] He charged Emmanuel Servais with forming a new government.[2] The latter suggested instead Édouard Thilges who, after some hesitation, took over a government that was devoted to continuity.[2]
Policy
With the exception of the bankruptcy of the Banque Fehlen & Cie in 1886, which had not recovered from the losses from the fall of the Banque nationale, the period of 1885-1889 went over without conflicts.[1] The public finances under Mathias Mongenast were improved.[1] The development of the Zollverein and the boom of the steel industry assured ever-growing revenues for the State.[1] Important resources were invested in the expansion of the network of local railways.[1] As an authentic liberal, Édouard Thilges advocated the non-intervention of the State in the functioning of the economy, even when some sectors ran into difficulties: "The government must lend support to all measures which may encourage the development of industry and trade in a general manner; but it must not intervene in favour of particular businesses […]. If we did something for one establishment ruined through their own fault, what would be our position towards other establishments, towards individuals who due to unexpected events find themselves in a difficult situation?"[1]
Footnotes
References
- Thewes, Guy (2011). Les gouvernements du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg depuis 1848 (PDF) (in French). Service Information et Presse. pp. 48–51. ISBN 978-2-87999-212-9. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
