Wallonia's Parliament office reshuffled after Dubai expenses scandal

The Office of Wallonia's Parliament is undergoing a reshuffle after an expense scandal caused some of its most senior figures to quit their roles. Revelations about a luxurious trip to Dubai have triggered a power shift in the regional parliament. 

The reshuffle comes after the Parliament's president, Jean-Claude Marcourt of socialists PS, and clerk Frédéric Janssens travelled to the World Exhibition in Dubai on a luxury trip that included business class flights and came to a total cost estimated at 19,000 euros for the four-day trip, according to documents obtained by Le Soir.

Other members of the Office of the Parliament - Sophie Pécriaux of PS, Jacqueline Galant and Sybille de Coster-Bauchau of liberals MR, and Manu Disabato of green party Ecolo - were meant to go as well, with a budget of 6,600 euros approved for each person. However, they decided against going and withdrew their approval for the trip.

Following the revelations, PS leader Paul Magnette called on the entire Office of the Parliament to resign. On 12 December, Marcourt announced he was willing to resign from his post if all other office members would follow suit. The Walloon parties have since announced who will replace the resigning members.

On Monday, Magnette chose his colleague and MP André Frédéric as chair. He will start his new role on Wednesday. After the exit of Galant and De Coster-Bauchau, the liberal party will be represented by Sabine Laruelle and Rachel Sobry. 

Olivier Biérin from Liège will represent Ecolo. PTB confirmed that their choice is Verviers MP Laszlo Schonvrodt and Anne-Catherine Goffinet will represent Les Engagés. The other new members will be sworn in on Wednesday morning.

^{Former Walloon Parliament president Jean-Claude Marcourt (centre) during a plenary session © BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND}