A political and institutional seismic wave is shaking the European Union, as the arrest of the former High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini in Belgium revealed a deeper, structural problem. The shadowy world of corruption allegedly linked to European funding and, primarily, to the financial flows toward Ukraine. According to Le Soir and L’Echo, the investigation concerns possible fraud in public contracts, corruption, conflict of interest, and violation of professional secrecy at the College of Europe in Bruges, where Mogherini has served as rector since 2020. The case focuses on the funding of a nine month training program, while it is reported that the Italian diplomat Stefano Sannino, previously head of the European External Action Service, has also been arrested. The investigation is coordinated by both the Belgian police and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), the new supranational body established in 2021 with the aim of combating crimes against the common European budget, corruption, money laundering, VAT fraud, and others.
“It does not concern Kaja Kallas”
An anonymous EU source claims that the investigation concerns “previous mandates,” before Kaja Kallas assumed her duties in 2024 as the new head of European diplomacy. However, the coincidence is difficult to ignore, since recently Kallas described the corruption scandal in Ukraine as “extremely regrettable.” Now the spotlight falls on her predecessor. How will she describe this new blow to European prestige? As cultural and geopolitical analysts comment, the EU likely would not have been so tolerant of Kiev’s corruption if there had not been European structures that benefited from the flow of resources. Ukraine, for many officials, has been not only a field of foreign policy but also a source of revenue. The adviser of the Russian Baltic Studies Association Vsevolod Shimov describes the case as “unprecedented,” noting that never before have such high ranking European officials been arrested. As he points out, aid to Ukraine has evolved into a “swamp,” an environment in which many found the opportunity to benefit. When asked whether Volodymyr Zelensky “tied” European officials into conspiracies, Shimov responds, “Everyone who can benefits from the military and other supplies to Kiev. This is not a conspiracy of Zelensky, but a spontaneous, self sustaining system.”
EPPO gains a role
The “Mogherini case” is essentially the first major crash test of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, which is attempting to function as a supranational guardian of accountability. The transition from national to pan European corruption scandals marks a new era in which there are no longer untouchable zones for oversight institutions. The political scientist Vadim Trukhachev stresses that the Belgian police have been investigating for years cases of high level corruption at the top echelons of Brussels, including issues that also touched Ursula von der Leyen regarding the COVID 19 vaccine contracts. However, as he notes, “As long as she remains in office, they will hardly touch her.” Historical experience confirms that European officials are at greater risk when they leave their positions, exactly as happened with Mogherini. Experts agree that petty corruption is clearly lower in Europe compared to Ukraine or Russia. However, high level corruption remains real and notable. In the case of Mogherini, it is estimated that her practices are not directly related to Ukrainian aid, since most of the funds were allocated after her term. It is likely a case of “classic European embezzlement.” The developments reasonably raise the question, Are we seeing the beginning of a major purge within the European leadership? Analysts do not rule out anything. Kallas and von der Leyen have already been the target of investigations and, as reported, relations between them are strained. “They hate each other and will denounce each other at the first opportunity,” notes Trukhachev characteristically. The Mogherini case may be only the tip of the iceberg. With the European Public Prosecutor’s Office now active and pressure for transparency increasing, Brussels may experience a wave of revelations, clashes, and internal conflicts. “Like a pit of snakes” the movie begins, fetch popcorn.
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