A significant fraud and corruption investigation, spearheaded by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), has sent shockwaves through Brussels, prompting European Commission Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu to declare that trust in the EU “needs to be defended.” The probe centers on suspected irregularities involving the European External Action Service (EEAS), the College of Europe, and an EU training program for junior diplomats, with former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini among the key figures implicated.

Commissioner Mînzatu expressed her absolute shock at the news, emphasizing the importance of thorough follow-ups given that the funds involved are “EU money, taxpayers' money.” She underscored the critical need to safeguard public confidence in European institutions, highlighting the serious implications of such an investigation.

Federica Mogherini, who served as the EU's foreign policy chief from 2014 to 2019 and more recently as the rector of the College of Europe, was formally notified of accusations against her as part of this ongoing investigation. The probe specifically examines suspicions that the EEAS circumvented its own tendering rules by allegedly providing upfront information to the College of Europe during bids for a €130,000 program designed to train young European diplomats. This program, known as the European Union Diplomatic Academy, was awarded under a public tender to the College of Europe for the period between 2021 and 2022.

In response to the accusations and the investigation, Mogherini announced her resignation as Rector of the College of Europe and Director of the European Union Diplomatic Academy. In an email seen by Euronews, she affirmed her “full confidence in the justice system” and expressed her trust that “the correctness of the College's actions will be ascertained,” while pledging her full collaboration with authorities. She had served as rector of the elite institution since 2020.

The investigation involves two other suspects in addition to Mogherini: Stefano Sannino, a prominent EU civil servant, and a manager at the College of Europe. Sannino, who previously served in the EEAS and as its secretary general from 2021 to 2024, and was seen as an influential figure in Brussels, was also detained for questioning. He has since taken early retirement from his position as Director-General of the Commission’s department for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (DG MENA), a decision he stated was made prior to the public breaking of the scandal. The third individual, believed to be a College of Europe manager, was also detained.

All three individuals were released after being questioned by Belgian authorities and formally notified of the accusations. The EPPO has stated that the charges against them include procurement fraud and corruption, conflict of interest, and violation of professional secrecy. The inquiry involved searches of the European External Action Service offices, the College of Europe in Bruges, and several private homes, underscoring the gravity and widespread nature of the allegations.