After suffering German occupation in two world wars, the grand duchy of Luxembourg abandoned its policy of unarmed neutrality and joined in a customs union with Belgium and the Netherlands. Ten years later (Feb. 3, 1958) the accord was expanded into the Benelux Economic Union.
The Christian Social Party won 26 seats and the socialist parties 17 seats in the 52-member Chamber of Deputies. Bech remained in power as head of a new coalition cabinet that took office on June 29.
Bech resigned with his cabinet but became foreign minister in a new cabinet headed by Pierre Frieden, also of the Christian Social Party. The Frieden government resigned Dec. 10.
