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Thilges Ministry

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Edouard Thilges, Prime Minister from 20 February 1885 to 22 September 1888

The Thilges Ministry formed the government of Luxembourg from 20 February 1885 to 22 September 1888.

Composition

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Transition

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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

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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

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Thewes (2011), p. 49
  2. ^ a b c d Thewes (2011), p. 48

References

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  • 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. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 January 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2016.