Corruption scandal shakes Brussels – prominent EU figures investigated for fraud

An extensive investigation into suspected corruption and procurement fraud is shaking the EU’s foreign service. Federica Mogherini, former chief diplomat of the Union and now rector at the College of Europe, is accused along with several high-ranking officials of manipulating the procurement of the EU’s new diplomatic academy. Mogherini has announced her resignation.

A series of coordinated police operations in Brussels and Bruges earlier this week have uncovered what is described as one of the most sensitive corruption investigations within the EU in several years. On behalf of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), both the premises of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the College of Europe buildings, as well as the suspects’ homes, were searched.

Three individuals were detained: Federica Mogherini, former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and since 2020 rector of the College of Europe; Stefano Sannino, one of the most senior officials of the EU Commission and former top official in the EEAS; and Cesare Zegretti, co-director of the College of Europe’s Department of Education and Projects.

The three are suspected of procurement fraud, corruption, conflicts of interest, and breach of confidentiality. EPPO states that there are “strong suspicions” that the rules of fair competition were disregarded when the College of Europe was awarded the contract to run the European Union Diplomatic Academy, a training program for young diplomats.

Mogherini and the others were later released, as they were not considered to be flight risks, but the formal suspicions remain. Mogherini also announced her resignation from her position as rector of the College of Europe.

Suspected leaked information about the procurement

The core of the investigation concerns the EU’s decision in 2020–21 to entrust the education for a new European diplomatic corps to the College of Europe. According to the prosecutors, there are indications that confidential information may have been passed on to one of the candidates prior to the procurement, giving the college administration an unfair advantage.

The program, launched as a pilot project in 2022 with a budget of nearly a million euros, was intended to contribute to “building a European diplomatic corps that shares a common diplomatic culture.” Mogherini herself was the director of the academy and called the initiative “a major step forward” for EU diplomacy.

Internal shockwave within the EU

Inside the EU institutions, the news has had a significant impact. In a letter to the staff – information that has been leaked – the current High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also Vice President of the EU Commission, Kaja Kallas, describes the accusations as “deeply shocking.”

At the same time, she emphasizes that the events should not lead to suspicions against the work that “the vast majority” of the employees carry out. She also wants to turn the tables and points out that the process now shows that “the protective mechanisms work,” instead of questioning how they could end up in this situation in the first place.

The College of Europe, in a statement, has assured that it is now fully cooperating with the police and authorities and that it “upholds the highest standards of integrity and fairness.”

Mogherini herself commented on the situation through a statement via the college, where she implicitly suggests that she has done nothing wrong.

– In its long tradition, the College has always applied and will continue to apply the highest standards of integrity and fairness. I have full confidence in the legal system and trust that the correctness of the College’s actions will be established.

Mogherini – background and previous controversies

Federica Mogherini, born in 1973 in Rome, was Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs before being appointed as the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in 2014, a position she held until 2019. During her time in the EU, she was criticized by member states for being too soft on, among others, Iran and Russia, but was never the subject of any legal investigation.

When she was appointed rector of the College of Europe in 2020, it sparked some debate. Critics argued that she lacked academic experience to lead one of the EU’s most prestigious educational institutions.

The investigation continues

A Belgian investigating magistrate will decide on the next steps in the process. All suspects are formally considered innocent until proven otherwise.

The EU institutions await official information, but internally, there is noticeable concern: that a symbolically significant investment in European diplomacy now risks being overshadowed by corruption allegations, something many describe as a serious setback for the Union’s credibility.