On Friday morning, our colleagues from RTL Radio discussed the turmoil within the Pirate Party with MP Marc Goergen.
"If we don't restore the members' trust and demonstrate that we will resolve our issues and improve in the future, then the Pirate Party is done for," said Goergen. In his interview, he addressed Ben Polidori's decision to leave the party on Monday and the accusations against the Pirate Party related to a translation app for refugees.
"We are currently going through a very tough phase," Goergen admitted. He emphasised that overcoming this crisis would require everyone to make compromises and address past mistakes.
"I have never been treated as an equal"
Goergen expressed sadness over Polidori's departure, stating that the young politician from the north did not feel well-treated by Sven Clement. According to Goergen, Polidori was treated "like a little boy" rather than an equal partner. Goergen noted that he himself had never been treated as an equal, so the shock was less for him compared to someone who joined from outside the party. He is clearly disappointed by Polidori's resignation and now feels he must "clean up on his own."
The lack of trust among the Pirate Party MPs is evident. Goergen and Clement only collaborate when absolutely necessary, and financial matters, such as employee salaries, are to be strictly separated at Goergen's request.
The dispute intensified on Monday evening during a discussion about repaying funds received years ago for developing a language app for the National Reception Office (ONA). An audit concluded that the Pirate Party unjustly received €96,000 for which there were no records. In November, the party had responded to ONA's director, Marc Piron, stating that no one was refusing to repay the money owed to ONA.
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"It cannot be that those who messed up get off scot-free"
Today, Marc Goergen primarily holds the company Clement & Weyer, operated by Sven Clement and former Pirate Party member Jerry Weyer, financially responsible. According to the audit, they did most of the work on the app in 2016 and 2017 on behalf of the Pirate Party.
"It cannot be that those who messed up get off scot-free," Goergen stated.
Goergen also finds it unacceptable that new Pirate Party members should bear the entire financial burden. He stressed that former members implicated in the audit must take responsibility. However, the two main individuals concerned, Sven Clement and Jerry Weyer, "refuse to do so," which led to Monday evening's dispute.
Ex-members: "They must be held accountable, even in court if necessary"
Initially, Goergen believed Clement's claim that the issue was merely due to paperwork errors and a few incorrect documents. However, after the recent revelations, particularly in the press, Goergen has a different view. Now, he aims to "clarify and clean up" for the party's benefit. While he acknowledges that the ONA "has its flaws too," Goergen insists that this is no excuse for not addressing issues within the Pirate Party. He finds it untenable for new Pirate Party local councillors to be forced to forfeit their attendance fees while those responsible for the problem go unpunished.
On Friday morning, Goergen explicitly pointed the finger at former party members Jerry Weyer and Andy Maar, who had left the party. He stressed that those who did not significantly contribute to the party and only joined to "generate contracts" must be held accountable, even in court if necessary.
Resigning "not an option"
The 39-year-old Pirate Party member from Pétange is not considering leaving the party at this time. He feels "deeply connected" to the councillors and staff and does not want to leave those currently under criticism alone with the party's financial issues. Ultimately, the party will have to decide whether Sven Clement must resign, Goergen stated.
Goergen mentioned that other parties are involved in the dossier, which is why they opted for transparency, "even if it is painful."
Jerry Weyer left the Pirate Party in early November 2023 without making it public at the time. This week, the co-founder and former vice-president called Goergen a "liar" on Facebook, disputing Goergen's claim that his resignation was directly linked to the audit. Weyer stated he left in hopes of escaping the "toxic environment" of the party.
This is not the first instance of unrest within the Pirate Party. Since its founding 15 years ago, the party has faced recurring disputes over political direction, interpersonal problems coupled with resignations, and accusations of bullying and a poor environment. These disputes have always been resolved in the past, but this time, the damage among the Pirate Party MPs seems much more substantial.
For its autumn congress, the Pirate Party plans to fundamentally revise its statutes. It remains to be seen in what form the Pirate Party will exist by then.
