The impetus for this action stemmed from a situation involving Council of State member Lucien Lux, who reportedly shared information with businessman Flavio Becca. The President of the Council of State, Christophe Schiltz, did not want to comment on the affair when asked.
Formed in accordance with the 2017 legislation concerning the organisational structure of the Council of State, the Ethics Committee comprises external individuals. Notably, its members include former judge Marie Paule Engel, along with ex-senior civil servants Albert Hansen and Pierre Mores.
Pending a decision from the Ethics Committee, various potential actions against a member of the Council of State remain on the table, ranging from a cautionary measure to reprimand and temporary expulsion. In more serious cases, the Council of State could recommend to the Grand Duke the removal of the implicated member. The member would retain the right to contest the decision through the administrative court.
Last week, the online magazine Reporter.lu revealed that Lucien Lux, a former minister of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP), had shared a legislative project’s opinion with his sole client, Flavio Becca, in July, before the Council of State’s official vote on the matter.
The law in question pertained to MRI scanners in private practices, in line with a project Becca has been pursuing in Ban der Gasperich. Lux has admitted to the mistake in question both to Reporter.lu and now to RTL. He clarified that due to a virtual vote conducted via email, he had mistakenly assumed the vote was scheduled for the following day. He also emphasised that the eventual outcome of the Council of State’s opinion would not have favoured investors or private MRIs.
Allegedly, the latter had desired a formal opposition which was not met. Lux also asserts that ten years ago, he had formally informed the Council of State about his consultative interactions with Flavio Becca, committing to abstain from any opinions regarding construction or housing matters.
Lucien Lux joined the Council of State in early 2014, succeeding his party colleague Dan Kersch, who had assumed governmental responsibilities. Lux’s mandate, governed by the pre-2017 rules, extends for 15 years, concluding in 2029.
The Left Party (déi Lénk) described the affair as examples of conflicts of interest and “cronyism” in the Council of State during a press conference on Tuesday morning. In their eyes, the Council of State - in its current form - should be abolished.
