Despite the Pirate party's calls, it appears improbable that the long-serving Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP) politician Jean Asselborn will be questioned regarding the current immigration scandal, as the parliamentary majority is reluctant to act while judicial proceedings are ongoing.
The scandal centres on allegations of corruption, document forgery, subsidy fraud, and the facilitation of illegal immigration. Both residency and work permits are believed to have been improperly issued. Pirate Party MP Marc Goergen, who submitted the request for Asselborn’s hearing, stressed that he does not personally accuse the former minister of criminal wrongdoing, but insists the matter raises questions of political responsibility.
Goergen said maximum transparency is now essential, questioning at what point – if at all – the previous government or the minister became aware of the incidents. Given that searches and complaints had already taken place, he argued the issue must have been known earlier. He suggested that what has come to light so far is likely only "the tip of the iceberg", noting that other ministries could also be involved, and said the goal now must be to ensure complete transparency.
Goergen added that if Asselborn has nothing to hide, he should be prepared to attend the committee and provide explanations. Nonetheless, it is unclear whether the former LSAP minister will actually be summoned. Stéphanie Weydert, Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) MP and chair of the Home Affairs Committee, emphasised that the judiciary is currently handling the case and parliament does not wish to interfere with the investigation. Additionally, with the Chamber entering its summer recess, any decision regarding the Pirates’ request will not be made before September.
Addressing the issue of work permits, Goergen said that the Pirate Party believes all asylum seekers in Luxembourg should have the right to paid employment from their first day in the country.
Some observers have noted an element of irony in the Pirates’ pursuit of accountability in the immigration affair, given the unresolved controversy surrounding the MALT translation app. The Pirate Party was contracted by the National Reception Office (ONA) to develop the MALT app, but despite substantial payments, the application was never completed or put into use. Legal proceedings on the matter remain ongoing. Goergen maintains there is no contradiction in demanding answers from Asselborn while his own party faces legal questions.
"Firstly, I was the one who submitted the request and I have nothing to do with the MALT dossier. Secondly, I am unaware of any Pirate being accused of corruption or allowing files to proceed in exchange for money", Goergen told RTL.
While the MALT affair chiefly involves Pirate MP Sven Clement, he was not consulted regarding the request to call Asselborn to the committee.
"No, I did not ask Sven Clement before making my request about whether I could summon Minister Asselborn before the committee", Goergen said, adding that there was no reason to do so. "I am a member of that committee, so I do my work as I have done for years. I act according to what I believe is right", he concluded.
Sven Clement, when asked, echoed this position. The Pirates say they have received no further information about the MALT affair since mid-2023, when it emerged that the European Public Prosecutor’s Office had seized just under €24,000 from the party’s accounts.
