Dr Gérard Schockmel slams governance in Luxembourg boards amid Caritas scandal

In an interview with our colleagues from RTL Radio Tuesday morning, Dr Gérard Schockmel, MP for the Democratic Party (DP), discussed his current work and reflected on past challenges.

"Many people still see me as the pandemic doctor, even though I am now focused on different issues," Dr Schockmel noted. He expressed relief at being less in the spotlight compared to the height of the pandemic, acknowledging that this shift is less stressful. Despite this, he emphasised the need for robust planning for future pandemics, whether through a public health law or a dedicated pandemic law.

Critique of pandemic communication

When asked about the shortcomings during the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr Schockmel criticised the government's communication efforts. He regretted that there was insufficient public information about vaccines and their development, which led many people to seek information from social media and "other experts." This situation fostered online communities rife with conspiracy theories, which contributed to a greater polarisation of society. Dr Schockmel also observed a loss of community spirit, with individuals increasingly focused on personal beliefs rather than collective interests.
 
During the pandemic, approximately 30 Covid-19 laws were passed by the Chamber of Deputies, often without sufficient time for MPs to thoroughly review the draft bills. Dr Schockmel criticised the current lack of inclusion of the Chamber of Deputies in the democratic process, suggesting that this issue persists even today.

Caritas scandal: Dr Schockmel criticises governance failures

Dr Schockmel also addressed the embezzlement scandal at Caritas, highlighting what he described as a severe governance issue within the organisation.
 
Dr Schockmel pointed out that €61 million was transferred to accounts in Spain through over 120 transactions. Given that each transfer required authorisation and was subject to the principle of dual signatures, he expressed confusion over how such fraud could occur.
 
Having previously served on the administrative board of Doctors Without Borders and as its president for one year, Dr Schockmel criticised the level of irresponsibility that allowed such a significant fraud to happen. He observed a broader "culture of irresponsibility" in administrative boards across Luxembourg, noting that these boards hold substantial responsibility but often lack accountability. He cited several examples, including the State Laboratory, the Mutualist Medical and Supplementary Fund (CMCM), Proactif, and now Caritas.

Recommendations for government action

In response to the Caritas scandal, Dr Schockmel proposed three key measures for the government. First, he suggested establishing a platform for financial transactions that would be monitored by the state. Second, he called for a law to set minimum governance standards. Third, Dr Schockmel recommended revising the agreement between the state and NGOs to address the issues highlighted by the Caritas case.