Two rapporteurs quit Brussels inquiry into social housing scandal, calling it a sham
Gilles Verstraeten (N-VA) and Marie Cruysmans (Les Engagés) have both stepped down as rapporteurs of the Brussels parliamentary commission investigating malpractices at the Anderlechtse Haard social housing company, citing an unrealistic deadline and political interference.
Resignations
Both rapporteurs have now quit the commission. Gilles Verstraeten (N-VA) announced his resignation on Monday, calling the inquiry a "simulacre de commission" and a "farce". Marie Cruysmans (Les Engagés) had resigned a week earlier, saying the work pace "does not allow for rigorous and quality work".
I refuse to continue collaborating in this sham commission.
The inquiry
The commission was set up after a VRT Pano report alleged irregularities in social housing allocation at Anderlechtse Haard, chaired by PS member Lotfi Mostefa. Hearings lasted 143 hours, ending on Monday. The commission must deliver a final report by 21 July.
- VRT Pano report reveals irregularities at Anderlechtse Haard
- Marie Cruysmans (Les Engagés) resigns as rapporteur
- Gilles Verstraeten (N-VA) resigns as rapporteur
- Commission concludes 143 hours of hearings
- Deadline for final report
Political pressure
The PS, which counts Mostefa in its ranks, pushed for the tight deadline. Verstraeten said the majority imposed an unrealistic timing and repeatedly refused to acknowledge the error. He described the commission as a "sham" designed to stifle the affair, adding that he would not sign a final report the PS could use to claim a thorough investigation was done.
I did everything in my power to rectify this, but I now refuse to lend my active cooperation to this farce, where a serious investigation has been made impossible under pressure from the PS.
Workload
The commission met up to six days a week, often 10 to 12 hours a day, while members were expected to review thousands of pages of documents. A truckload of boxes arrived only a week ago. Verstraeten noted that inquiry commissions normally take six to nine months, not a few weeks.
Honestly, you are crazy.
Reactions
Flemish minister for Brussels Cieltje Van Achter called the commission a "farce" on social media. The resignations leave the commission without its two rapporteurs as it races toward the 21 July deadline.
