Following the fraud scandal at Caritas, the government's decision to freeze all funding until responsibility is determined has sparked debate, with political parties emphasising the need to ensure the continuation of the NGO's critical work while addressing accountability.
In the wake of the fraud scandal at Caritas, a crisis committee was established just over a week ago, taking over the NGO's governance. The government has announced a freeze on all funding until it is determined "who is at fault at Caritas," despite the need for the organisation’s critical work to continue. This decision has sparked debate among various political parties.
The Left (Déi Lénk) has been vocal in its criticism and has already expressed its position via a press release. MP Marc Baum argues that the government’s stance oversimplifies the issue: "Luc Frieden is mistaken if he thinks this is solely Caritas' responsibility. Caritas carries out significant tasks on behalf of the state, so the government has a problem as well. It's crucial that all activities by Caritas —and I emphasise all of them— are ensured...It's important that the people carrying out the work are valued. Historically, Caritas has been an organisation that has frequently voiced critical opinions; this crisis shouldn't be used as an opportunity to silence an 'unwanted' critic.
The Greens (Déi Gréng) share a similar viewpoint. Party president Djuna Bernard highlights the role of Caritas in addressing social issues, often ahead of the state. She remarks, "We operate in a system where the state delegates many of its responsibilities to organisations like Caritas, which has been proactive in identifying and solving problems. It's overly simplistic to frame this simply as 'Caritas' problem.' This situation prompts serious reflection on Caritas' future, and we must also take into account the immediate concerns for its employees and ongoing projects."
Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) MP Georges Engel expressed a nuanced understanding of the government's position: "The government's strict approach with Caritas is understandable, given the involvement of public funds. However, it’s crucial that Caritas' essential services continue, as they play a vital role in helping those less fortunate.
Members of the majority parties echoed these concerns. Democratic Party (DP) MP Carole Hartmann stressed the importance of Caritas' ongoing work: "It’s vital that Caritas' activities continue. The internal crisis committee within the organisation is a positive step. We need to wait for the investigation's outcome to fully understand the issues and determine the next steps."
