The public prosecutor’s office on 21 April had forwarded the preliminary investigation to the chamber. Only parliament can lift the immunity and investigate members of government. But the following day left it unclear whether she would now be heard as a regular citizen and who holds judicial authority to investigate the former environment minister.
The chamber requested a legal opinion and on 25 April released a statement saying: “the bureau and the conference of presidents have agreed that the chamber has the right of inquiry.” Dieschbourg’s investigation will follow the regular procedure with respecting her presumption of innocence and the confidentiality of the inquiry. All members of the chamber will have access to the dossier.
A resolution for judicial police to interview Dieschbourg will be submitted to lawmakers as the first step in handling the case.
When resigning last week, the environment minister had said she wanted to be able to be heard in the investigation without parliament having to spend time on the case. Dieschbourg argued that parliament had more important things to do, but lawmakers will now in any case be leading the inquiry as it dates to Dieschbourg’s time in office.
In 2019, Differdange mayor Roberto Traversini (déi Gréng) had failed to request planning permission for building works on a garden shed, located within a so-called Natura 2000 protected area. Dieschbourg was accused of favouritism as a special building permit was granted after works had already begun.
She has 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.