“We have learned that conflicts must be handled with respect. We work together, we talk to each other, all in the interest of our mandates”, said Sven Clement, Pirate Party MP, on Wednesday morning during an interview with RTL about the current situation within the opposition party and his relationship with fellow Pirate MP Marc Goergen.
About a year ago, turmoil within the Pirates became public: legal and financial issues surfaced and the third Pirate MP in the Chamber, Ben Polidori, left the party to join the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP). Over the past 12 months, six elected representatives have left the party.
According to Clement, a ‘founding father’ who helped launch the Pirates in 2009, there are several reasons behind this turnover, and the decisions of the people involved still somewhat hurt.
Regarding the Pirate Party’s financial situation, Clement emphasised that they remain operational: any potential repayments related to the language app MALT have already been budgeted for, and all salaries can be paid as usual.
This year, the Pirates will not hold a press dinner to review the Chamber year, partly due to questions raised by the Court of Auditors about such events – an argument cited by the MP.
Clement also sees the ongoing investigation as an opportunity to clarify the facts, contrary to some of the public statements made in recent months. He added that the party is fully cooperating with all the authorities involved.
Read also: Pirate Party’s finances under scrutiny by Chamber of Deputies
Clement is critical that Prime Minister Luc Frieden did not inform the Chamber about the developments of the latest social round. Although there is an obligation to provide such information, Clement noted, the government has repeatedly failed to meet this requirement on other topics as well.
While there has been broad dialogue on pensions, what the government attempted to impose “from above” was not a consensus but rather something “pulled out of a hat by the Frieden government” to announce during the State of the Nation address, according to Clement.
Read also: Ministers face backlash over lack of transparency in labour talks
Clement has been a member of the Chamber since 2018. When asked whether he plans to run again as a Pirate in the 2028 elections, he replied that he currently has no specific plans.
However, he pointed out that it is always important to consider how long one wants to stay in politics. With three years still to go before the next election, he said it would be too early to define his ambitions.
When questioned about the possibility of switching parties, Clement called the question strange, comparing it to asking parents if they would voluntarily give up their children.
