Frédéric Janssens, the clerk of the Walloon Parliament who has been suspended since mid-September, broke his silence on Friday evening in a long message on Facebook and on LN24 after being heard by courts for more than six hours on Thursday. He stated that he is “injured” and that “there has not been a euro of personal enrichment” in his actions. When asked about the harassment complaints filed against him, Janssens acknowledged that he may have made mistakes and that sometimes he had to remind people that they are paid to work. He expressed regret that some words might have been misinterpreted and misunderstood. He also commented on the “smear campaign” that was launched following the reform of the Staff Regulations initiated at the beginning of 2022. The question of travel expenses, including that of the resigned President of Parliament Jean-Claude Marcourt’s visit to Dubai, was also raised. Janssens mentioned that he has full confidence in justice and will continue to cooperate fully to assert his rights.
After being heard by the courts on Thursday for more than 6 hours, Frédéric Janssens, the clerk of the Walloon parliament suspended since mid-September, broke his silence on Friday evening on LN24 and in a long message on Facebook.
“I am injured. It is an unfair situation, but I am combative and respectful of the rules. And I want the truth to triumph”he said there, ensuring that he had nothing to be ashamed of. “There has not been a euro of personal enrichment.”
Asked about the harassment complaints filed against him, the clerk recalled that there were “goals to achieve”set by the Bureau of Parliament. “I may have made mistakes, lacked empathy. But sometimes you have to remind people that they are paid to work. However, I regret that agents have had to suffer from their work and I regret that words could have been misinterpreted, misunderstood”continued Frédéric Janssens, pointing in stride “the smear campaign” launched following the reform of the Staff Regulations initiated at the beginning of 2022 and which “obviously not liked by everyone”.
As for the explosion of expenses related to the construction of the house of parliamentarians and the pedestrian junction between the car park and the parliament, they have been approved, he recalled. “The first amounts, it was the outline of the project. Then we delay because the decisions are not taken and the prices increase. I do not see where the surprise effect is. You really imagine that I get up a morning saying that we need a house of parliamentarians? These are decisions of the Bureau”added the clerk.
There remains the question of travel, including that to Dubai which finally led to the resignation of the president of parliament, Jean-Claude Marcourt. “It may seem huge, but these are market prices. And then, is it different in the other missions of the public authorities?”he falsely wondered.
“This whole affair is truly regrettable. All my life, I have worked tirelessly. Today, being coerced and forced to stay at home is not my conception of the role of a high official. I only ask to work, but I have to obey my hierarchy”chained Frédéric Janssens.
“I am delighted with one thing: the political and media trial now gives way to the judiciary. I have full confidence in Justice and will continue to collaborate fully to assert my rights. Where assumptions are made, I I will deliver the facts. I hope that all the light will be shed to strengthen Walloon democracy”he concluded.
In conclusion, Frédéric Janssens, the suspended clerk of the Walloon parliament, has broken his silence after being heard by the courts for over six hours. He strongly denied any personal enrichment and expressed a desire for the truth to triumph. While acknowledging that he may have made mistakes and lacked empathy, he regrets the smear campaign launched against him following the reform of the Staff Regulations. Janssens remains confident in the judiciary and hopes that the case will shed light on the situation and strengthen Walloon democracy.