Traversini had failed to request planning permission for building works on a garden shed, located within a so-called Natura 2000 protected area. Dieschbourg had been accused of favouritism as a special building permit was granted after works had already begun.

Dieschbourg is protected by diplomatic immunity and cannot be interrogated in her role. The Chamber of Deputies would have to vote on lifting the minister’s immunity, which would involve the case being brought before lawmakers. 

A preliminary investigation by the Luxembourg public prosecutor’s office to assess whether the case will go to trial has been ongoing since 2019. 

Dieschbourg in a statement earlier on Friday had said she would recommend to lawmakers to support lifting her immunity. “There is not doubt for me that the lifting of my immunity is the right path,” she said. “Only in this manner can my explanations be taken into consideration in the investigation.”

Just hours later, she announced that she would be stepping down during a press conference. Struggling with tears, Dieschbourg denied any wrongdoing but said that parliament has important dossiers to work on and would lose valuable time by launching its procedure against her. “I don’t want this anymore,” she said after there already were numerous hearings in 2019. 

The public prosecutor’s office on Friday said it had sent a request to the Chamber of Deputies for a vote on Dieschbourg’s immunity.

Dieschbourg said the only way for her to testify without embroiling the ministry and the Chamber of Deputies in the case any further would be to step down. “We need a functioning environment ministry here in Luxembourg,” she said.

Energy minister Claude Turmes (déi Gréng) will take over her mandate until a new minister has been chosen. 

“We have great respect for this decision full of integrity,” the Green party said in a statement. “The mandate of Carole Dieschbourg represents an exemplary decade for consistent climate and environmental protection. We thank her with all our heart for her honest and tireless commitment for the citizens, the environment and the planet.”

Party leadership will consult on a potential successor and convene an extraordinary congress to confirm its decision.

Dieschbourg previously denied speaking with Traversini about the permit and said the file had been treated like any other, with building works stopped until authorisation was granted. But members of the opposition in parliament said the minister had bent the rules for her party colleague. The public prosecutor in October 2019 seized documents at the environment ministry. 

The case around Traversini also involved the mayor using public services for personal gain, as he had asked the commune’s construction department to draw up plans for a property that he had inherited. In addition to resigning as Differdange mayor, Traversini also vacated his seat in parliament at the time. 

Dieschbourg’s departure is the fourth resignation of a member of government this year. Finance minister Pierre Gramegna (DP), labour minister Dan Kersch and agriculture minister Romain Schneider (both LSAP) all left office at the start of the year for personal reasons. 

The corruption case isn’t the only controversy surrounding Dieschbourg. Her family’s mill--the Moulin Dieschbourg--faced accusations of being in violation of waste laws. The minister left the family business in 2013 when she first joined the government. Opposition members , but Dieschbourg denied any involvement, pointing the finger instead at Valorlux, a waste management company, which communicates non-compliant companies to the ministry.