Luxembourg’s Prime Minister, XAVIER BETTEL on Wednesday admitted he should have acted “differently” after accusations he plagiarized swathes of his university thesis.
Local outlet reporter claimed the liberal leader — in power for eight years — lifted “three quarters” of his 1999 thesis at the France’s University of Nancy.
BETTEL, 48, pointed out in a statement that the thesis was done “over 20 years ago” and insisted he “wrote the work with a clear conscience”.
Findings show that the plagiarism row is the latest to hit a high-profile European politician and similar allegations have forced the resignations of a number of ministers in neighboring Germany.
The most recent was German family minister, FRANZISKA GIFFEY, who stepped down in May this year over claims she plagiarized her doctoral thesis.
The local media also said BETTEL’s scandal dominated online media headlines in the Grand Duchy of 600,000 people but so far the opposition has not weighed in on the issue.
