As always, the storm will give way to good weather. But, for the moment, the wind continues to blow strongly around Christianne Wickler, Luxair and Cargolux. As a reminder, the Luxembourg entrepreneur, head of the Pall Center Group, was recently appointed to the board of directors of Luxair and Cargolux, even becoming president of the latter.
Very quickly, however, the fact that she also presides over the non-profit organisation Expressis-Verbis, an internet platform offering very controversial articles on the health crisis, has caused quite a few reactions. For many observers, her positions were incompatible with the duties entrusted to her by the government. In an interview with Paperjam, Christianne Wickler disputed that Expressis-Verbis was a conspiracy site and indicated that she had resigned from her responsibilities within this non-profit.
Motion to oust the chair
This seems insufficient for part of the opposition. The CSV, with the support of Déi Lénk and the Piratepartei, has tabled a motion for the government to ask the Luxair board of directors to request her resignation or dismiss her from Cargolux.
What is she accused of? Through her statements via Expressis-Verbis, they argue, she “contests, in a general way, the governmental measures to contain the pandemic and denies, in a way, the deadly results of the covid-19 pandemic, the critical moments that hospitals had to face with the temporary closure of various units, the postponement of medical interventions, etc. That through her action, the businesswoman has moreover put herself, in a blatant way, at odds with the government's policy to fight the covid-19 crisis.”
So there would be a breach of trust. “In view of all the above, there are real doubts about the capacity of judgment of the woman appointed to the position of director and her willingness to carry out government instructions,” according to the motion.
Unlikely to be approved
It is highly unlikely to be approved. Deputy prime minister and minister for mobility, defence and public works François Bausch (déi Gréng) repeated that the appointment was justified. Previously unaware of the existence of Expressis-Verbis, he said that he did not see it as a conspiracy site, even if the content may be questionable.
Questioned by Paperjam after health director Jean-Claude Schmit had been very critical of Expressis-Verbis, health minister Paulette Lenert (LSAP) believes that “we must not mix [everything]. If a person is appointed, what counts is his or her competence for the job.” Nevertheless, she also concedes that “all the controversy that this has triggered leaves a little unpleasant taste. I believe that people are free to have their own opinions in their private lives, and this should not prejudge their professional competence. That certainly doesn't help at the moment. I wish I had more composure.” According to the minister, however, it would be just as dangerous to “not appoint someone with management skills because they have expressed an opinion in a private capacity.”
The fact that Christianne Wickler has left Expressis-Verbis, however, is a relief: “It's better that way, that's clear, even if she hasn't positioned herself as a covid denier either."
Prime minister Xavier Bettel (DP) has obviously also approved the choice of Christianne Wickler and does not withdraw his support in any way. This was also stated after the last government meeting: “I know Mrs. Wickler as a competent person, who says what she thinks, who is rather direct. If the board and the department are in agreement, I don't see why it wouldn't work. It's a choice that is in the best interest of the company. There was a controversy about this site, and Ms. Wickler withdrew from it. It's a personal choice, but her skills are not in question. If she participated in this site, we must respect that... In a democracy, you have the right to have your opinion. I'm not asking that people agree 100% with our policy.”
This article was originally published in French for Paperjam.lu. It has been translated and edited for Delano.