(CS/ml) Former Luxembourg PM and soon-to-be EU Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has warned that a referendum on the right to vote for foreigners in Luxembourg could cause a “poisonous atmosphere.”

Speaking to Radio 100,7, Juncker warned that the CSV – who opposes the right to vote for non-nationals – needs to tread carefully, as he believes the referendum could act as a breeding ground for xenophobic sentiment.

Juncker currently still acts as the head of the CSV's faction in parliament although he will soon resign from his MP seat and depart for Brussels. The new EU Commission is expected to pick up in November.

Juncker has frequently spoken out against a referendum as the method to settle the question of voting rights for non-nationals. He reiterated his stance on Monday, saying that “I always had fears that a referendum could cause a poisonous atmosphere in Luxembourg society.”

Instead of access to voting rights, Juncker – and the CSV – have supported easier access to Luxembourg nationality.

TTIP and multinationals

However, Juncker declined to comment on the work of the DP-LSAP-déi Gréng coalition, saying merely: “I'm surprised that journalists after nine months of a change in power still speak of the 'new' government. The triple coalition feel pretty old to me.”

Once Juncker officially takes the post of EU Commission president one of his first priorities will be the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership between the EU and the US. As negotiations are expected to come to a close next year, Juncker said that he wants to push for more transparency in order to regain the trust of EU citizens.

Having a Luxembourger at the helm of the EU institution will meanwhile not lead to any special benefits for the Grand Duchy. One issue up for discussion is the taxation of multinationals. “It cannot be, that important parts of big business meanders from country to country to avoid taxes. People pay taxes. Big companies need to do so too,” Juncker said.