A resolution calling for greater government transparency, tabled by MP Djuna Bernard of the Green Party (Déi Gréng), was rejected by the Chamber of Deputies.
The motion followed Bernard’s allegations that Minister of Culture Eric Thill misled Parliament regarding the resignation of Patrick Majerus, former president of the Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art (MUDAM), and broader dysfunction within the institution.
The Green Party MP had accused Minister Thill of either being a “coldblooded liar” or having lost control of his ministry.
During a parliamentary Q&A session on Tuesday, Bernard said that Minister Thill had falsely claimed Majerus’ resignation letter could not be shared because he had explicitly requested confidentiality, a claim she refuted by citing written consent from Majerus allowing the letter’s disclosure in the interest of transparency.
In a message sent on 30 January to three senior staff members at the Ministry – all of whom were present at the commission meeting – Majerus had clearly written: “I authorise you to share my resignation letter, as this will contribute to reinforcing transparency, in line with Luxembourgish legal standards.”
Thill responded that he stood by what he said in the commission, but added that if correspondence had circulated among ministry staff contradicting his understanding, he would verify the situation. He said he was open to sharing the letter if Majerus had indeed approved it, but noted that other related documents contained personal data, which limited what could be disclosed.
Bernard, however, was not reassured. She argued that the situation now carried significant political weight and left only two troubling possibilities: either Thill is a “coldblooded liar” who knowingly misled Parliament, or he lacked control over his ministry while serious dysfunctions were taking place.
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On Wednesday, the Ministry of Culture released an official statement addressing the previous day’s parliamentary debate. In it, Minister Thill reiterated that he had acted in good faith, insisting he was never informed of permission to disclose the resignation letter of the former MUDAM president. Thill claimed he only became aware of Majerus’ consent during Tuesday’s session.
The ministry confirmed that the resignation letter – along with a separate document in which Majerus detailed internal communications – would now be shared with the parliamentary committee and the Chamber of Deputies. However, Thill emphasised that the handling of confidential data within those documents would fall to Parliament’s discretion.
Closing the statement, the minister shifted focus to the future, stressing the need to safeguard MUDAM’s reputation and avoid short- or long-term damage to the institution.
