The Waringo Investigation into the Functioning of the Luxembourg Court 2019/2020

[Somebody]

My understanding from another source is that the employees who suffered physical abuse were quietly paid off, like the seamstress who was going to write a book.

And the hush money came from Government funds which is part of the reason this inquest/inquiry was launched.

For the longest time I have had MT on the highest of Royal pedestals. I started to reassess my opinion of her when she left the country in a snit rather than host the Romanian state visit due to some disagreement with the Prime Minister.

This is just very disturbing and disappointing.

Her pulling out was presented as 'for family reasons' - what is the background story regarding the disagreement with the prime minister?

 

[Pranter]

I keep waiting to see if Tessy is going to pipe up with something to say about this situation.



LaRae

 

[Moonmaiden23]

Don't hold your breath. Other than coy passive aggressive comments like "Hmmm...Interesting"! Tessy has been quiet.

She either signed an airtight NDA or was paid off or both.

 

[Pranter]

Oh yeah hmmm that was probably part of her divorce settlement.


LaRae

 

[Moonmaiden23]

Her pulling out was presented as 'for family reasons' - what is the background story regarding the disagreement with the prime minister?

She was angry because she wanted a member of her staff to receive some type of award...i think her last name was Selva...and the honor was denied because this person was discovered to have had a criminal background

It was widely discussed here when it happened.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

The hidden story behind it seems to be a wish to "re-monarchize". Since the arch-stupid action of the Grand-Duke to refuse his assent to a democratically approved Bill (in 2008), he has been sidelined in the machinery of State.

There is a wish to bring the monarchy a bit back more in the picture, for an example with an annual Address from the Throne, like in the Netherlands. (Neighbouring Belgium does not have an annual Address from the Throne either, but there the King still is in the political framework).

This attempt to "re-monarchize" seems to have people who are pro and against it and needs careful manoeuvring of the Grand-Ducal Court. There is opposition from the Prime Minister and that is not to the liking of the Grand-Duke (and therefore also not to the liking of his spouse). That seems to be the hidden motivation behind the pro-active movements at the Court.

It seems there was a fall-out after the Grand-Duke lost his constitutional right to sanction decrees. bills and treaties (by unanimous vote!). The Court seemed genuinely shocked that Government and Parliament did act so rigidly and was calculating on a sort of "Baudouin scenario" (the Government sanctioning the Bill for the "incapacitated" Grand-Duke) and certainly not on such a ruthless removal of the Grand-Duke in the legislative process.

The Grand-Duke (and the Grand-Duchess) then though his advisers should have warned him more, should have massaged the Government (then Prime-Minister Jean Claude Juncker) more, should have lobbied Parliament more, etc. Since then the so calm Luxembourgian Court became filled with mistrust and intrigues.

That seems to be the hidden story behind the problems at the Court. Not so much the demanding Grand-Duchess, but the wish to "re-monarchize".

 

[Moonmaiden23]

HGD Guillaume is said to have disagreed with the action of his father regarding the euthanasia bill, which surprises me.

But for all his devout Catholicism, it seems that Guillaume is also a pragmatist.

 

[LadyFinn]

Luxembourg's public prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into the question of whether or not there were violent incidents at the Grand Ducal Court.
RTL Today - Following RTL radio programme_ Prosecutor's office launches investigation into alleged physical violence at Grand Ducal Court

 

[Denville]

What you say is correct Duc...but when MT summoned a bunch of journalists to lunch to whinge and complain about her mother-in-law, HRH Madame la Grande Duchesse wasn't exactly keeping her composure OR remembering her dignity and her position.

The big riddle in all this is/was her husband. He did not object to the Mama Is a Big Bad Wolf luncheon. He must have known how awful it appeared..

Who has been running the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for the past 20 years.

there is a big jump from the Duchess being indiscreet with journalists (I agree she should not have done it) to the possiblity that she has been physically slapping staff...

 

[tommy100]

Luxembourg's public prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into the question of whether or not there were violent incidents at the Grand Ducal Court.
RTL Today - Following RTL radio programme_ Prosecutor's office launches investigation into alleged physical violence at Grand Ducal Court

Oh this doesn't seem good.

Surely the Public Prosecutors office wouldn't investigate without something more credible than rumours. If this turns out to be anywhere near true I can't really see a way back for MT to public life.

That said a (cynical) part of me wonders if pressure could have been put on the Public Prosecutors office to investigate so there is proof MT hasn't done this.


Edit - here is an article from luxemboug wort about it https://translate.google.co.uk/tran...e-physique-a-la-cour-5e399320da2cc1784e3556e9

 

[Moonmaiden23]

there is a big jump from the Duchess being indiscreet with journalists (I agree she should not have done it) to the possiblity that she has been physically slapping staff...

Yes, it is indeed a big jump. But it appears that someone might have taken the leap.

 

[An Ard Ri]

The news seems to be getting worse every day!

 

[Muhler]

Oh this doesn't seem good.

Surely the Public Prosecutors office wouldn't investigate without something more credible than rumours. If this turns out to be anywhere near true I can't really see a way back for MT to public life.

That said a (cynical) part of me wonders if pressure could have been put on the Public Prosecutors office to investigate so there is proof MT hasn't done this.


Edit - here is an article from luxemboug wort about it https://translate.google.co.uk/tran...e-physique-a-la-cour-5e399320da2cc1784e3556e9

There may not necessarily be anything in it.
Because an official investigation can after also clear MT.
If no such investigations was launched, the rumors about physical abuse can persist and gather momentum - also if there is nothing in it at all.

 

[tommy100]

Indeed, as I said part of me does wonder if the Grand Duchess would be happy to have such an investigation to clear her, it would put the rumours to rest.

If it finds something happened though its going to be open season on MT.

Its all very sad IMO.

 

[Muhler]

They had little choice IMO.

Once such serious allegation, as physical abuse is (and a cover-up as well) has surfaced, the government has no alternative but to investigate that as well.
Otherwise claims of government cover-up would unquestionably be openly suggested and just as importantly; the Waringo investigation would be worthless in the eyes of the public.

 

[Blog Real]

I hope everything will be resolved as soon as possible.
The news seems to get worse every day.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

HGD Guillaume is said to have disagreed with the action of his father regarding the euthanasia bill, which surprises me.

But for all his devout Catholicism, it seems that Guillaume is also a pragmatist.

Prince Guillaume then seems to have a better understanding of the position if a constitutional monarch in a modern democracy.

At the eve of his kingship, his Dutch namesake responded on a question of possibly opposing legislation: "As a democrat I will back the Government and sign anything which has passed proper democratic procedures and is in line with the Constitution."

 

[HereditaryPrincess]

I had heard before that Maria Theresia had quite a hard personality to get on with, but never would I have suspected anything on this scale. It just goes to show that her titles and privileged positions are meaningless when it comes to her attitude towards her staff since one would think someone of a princely position would be a dignified boss! I hope the former staff receive justice.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

I had heard before that Maria Theresia had quite a hard personality to get on with, but never would I have suspected anything on this scale. It just goes to show that her titles and privileged positions are meaningless when it comes to her attitude towards her staff since one would think someone of a princely position would be a dignified boss! I hope the former staff receive justice.

María Teresa is innocent until the opposite has been proven.

 

[Lady Daly]

The hidden story behind it seems to be a wish to "re-monarchize". Since the arch-stupid action of the Grand-Duke to refuse his assent to a democratically approved Bill (in 2008), he has been sidelined in the machinery of State.

There is a wish to bring the monarchy a bit back more in the picture, for an example with an annual Address from the Throne, like in the Netherlands. (Neighbouring Belgium does not have an annual Address from the Throne either, but there the King still is in the political framework).

This attempt to "re-monarchize" seems to have people who are pro and against it and needs careful manoeuvring of the Grand-Ducal Court. There is opposition from the Prime Minister and that is not to the liking of the Grand-Duke (and therefore also not to the liking of his spouse). That seems to be the hidden motivation behind the pro-active movements at the Court.

It seems there was a fall-out after the Grand-Duke lost his constitutional right to sanction decrees. bills and treaties (by unanimous vote!). The Court seemed genuinely shocked that Government and Parliament did act so rigidly and was calculating on a sort of "Baudouin scenario" (the Government sanctioning the Bill for the "incapacitated" Grand-Duke) and certainly not on such a ruthless removal of the Grand-Duke in the legislative process.

The Grand-Duke (and the Grand-Duchess) then though his advisers should have warned him more, should have massaged the Government (then Prime-Minister Jean Claude Juncker) more, should have lobbied Parliament more, etc. Since then the so calm Luxembourgian Court became filled with mistrust and intrigues.

That seems to be the hidden story behind the problems at the Court. Not so much the demanding Grand-Duchess, but the wish to "re-monarchize".

So is the back story behind the problems at Court less about Grand Duchess MT and more that the Grand Duke's past behavior and actions have created such a wide rift that Parliament and the Government want to see changes? Perhaps with abdication? Perhaps time for Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume to step in?

 

[Addapalla]

María Teresa is innocent until the opposite has been proven.

But we all know that will never happen due to her position; note the delicacy of the wording of the report- she is already being protected for the moment.

The only "proof" of her responsibility for the whole mess will be in how thoroughly MT is side-lined from court operations after the situation is remedied.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

So is the back story behind the problems at Court less about Grand Duchess MT and more that the Grand Duke's past behavior and actions have created such a wide rift that Parliament and the Government want to see changes? Perhaps with abdication? Perhaps time for Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume to step in?

Well, the new Grand-Duke will face the same position in the periphery of State, his father manoeuvred himself into. The Grand-Duke is still very much in the picture but the intrinsic command, respect and prestige his father Prince Jean and his grandmother Princess Charlotte enjoyed are gone.

The Grand-Duke opposing the will of democratic majority after a constitutionally perfect legislative process, has done visible and invisible damage. That the Government had to sideline an unpartial head of state, the defender of the Constitution (as is the theory of a constitutional monarchy) was SO damaging. The lost intrinsic command will never return.

But we all know that will never happen due to her position; note the delicacy of the wording of the report- she is already being protected for the moment.

The only "proof" of her responsibility for the whole mess will be in how thoroughly MT is side-lined from court operations after the situation is remedied.

Royals are not above law. The Infanta Elena of Spain and her spouse Iñaki Urdangarín have met Lady Justitia's hard hand. King Albert II of the Belgians has met Lady Justitia. The Duke of York probably will meet Lady Justitia.

Just af formal complaint of a (former) employee against the spouse of his (former) employer is enough to start a procedure. For so far no any complaint has been received.

 

[Mirabel]

If MT did physically abuse someone, what would happen if the employee retaliated?
If the person decked her, then what? Or pressed charges and didn't accept a cover-up?

 

[maria-olivia]

WHY did Mr Bettel wait 6 days ?? The situation must be difficult ! du jamais vu in a Royal Court.

 

[Benjamin]

Royals are not above law. The Infanta Elena of Spain and her spouse Iñaki Urdangarín have met Lady Justitia's hard hand.

Infanta Elena is not married to her brother-in-law.

 

[Duc_et_Pair]

Infanta Elena is not married to her brother-in-law.

Writing error: the Infanta Cristina, of course.

If MT did physically abuse someone, what would happen if the employee retaliated?
If the person decked her, then what? Or pressed charges and didn't accept a cover-up?

As long as there is no complaint made to the Maréchalat du Cour, to the internal counsellor, to the Employee Council, to the Ombudsman, to the police, it is no more than rumours.

 

[Lady Marlboro]

I have a hypothetical question. IF there was some physical altercation which resulted in some form of compensation/settlement, I assume a non-disclosure agreement would be involved. With the prosecutor's office now involved, does the NDA prevent people from talking to them or are they legally obligated to talk to the prosecutors. I am not sure about how the law works on that in US much less another country and I couldn't quite figure out how to frame the question for google.

 

[Lady Daly]

Well, the new Grand-Duke will face the same position in the periphery of State, his father manoeuvred himself into. The Grand-Duke is still very much in the picture but the intrinsic command, respect and prestige his father Prince Jean and his grandmother Princess Charlotte enjoyed are gone.

The Grand-Duke opposing the will of democratic majority after a constitutionally perfect legislative process, has done visible and invisible damage. That the Government had to sideline an unpartial head of state, the defender of the Constitution (as is the theory of a constitutional monarchy) was SO damaging. The lost intrinsic command will never return.

Thank you Duc_et_Pair for your depth of knowledge and historical insight into Luxembourg's changing times.

 

[Lady Daly]

"Jeannot Waringo's report on the internal management of the Grand Ducal Court has been public since Friday. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel held a press conference on the report"

"Speaking to the press, the Prime Minister revealed that the Grand Ducal Court would be subject to 'far-reaching reforms', and that the government would implement all of Jeannot Waringo's recommendations in the domains of budgets, structure, and personnel management. Specifically, he revealed the government would create a new role of 'court commissionaire' and abolish the general manager post, currently held by David Grieu... One thing made clear by Bettel is that the organisational chart due to be set will make it evident that the spouse of the Grand Duke is not involved in organising the Court."

"Asked about the concern of physical violence at court, Bettel said he would not be taking a position whilst the inquiry is ongoing."

https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/1466250.html

 

[Countessmeout]

I have a hypothetical question. IF there was some physical altercation which resulted in some form of compensation/settlement, I assume a non-disclosure agreement would be involved. With the prosecutor's office now involved, does the NDA prevent people from talking to them or are they legally obligated to talk to the prosecutors. I am not sure about how the law works on that in US much less another country and I couldn't quite figure out how to frame the question for google.

Yes if she was summoned to court, a NDA would not prevent the maid from speaking to the prosecutors. Legal court cases trump a NDA. That is how shady companies can be investigated even though most employees will have a NDA. The legal system doesn’t allow employers to hide behind that.

The NDA simply would protect MT from the maid taking a huge settlement and then running to the press to sell her story.