The arrest of former Vice-President of the European Commission and former EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Federica Mogherini, along with high-ranking European Commission official Stefano Sannino, and the Deputy Director of the College of Europe, indicates the scale of corruption within the European structure. This corruption extends to the European Parliament and reaches the highest echelons of the European Commission.
The developments concerning Mogherini come at a critical time, as the trial for Qatargate is expected to proceed in the coming months.
What is known as Qatargate involves a case of alleged corruption of members of the European Parliament, as well as officials of European Union institutions and bodies, on behalf of government officials from Qatar and Morocco. Following an investigation by the Belgian federal police, six people were arrested on suspicion of corruption and money laundering, including two Members of the European Parliament, the Greek Vice-President of the European Parliament, Eva Kaili, and the Italian Antonio Pancheri, while a total of €1.5 million in cash was seized.
It is not the first time the EU has found itself in the vortex of scandals. On November 29, 2018, the European Parliament called for enhanced investigations, a review of the legal framework, and stronger fiscal mechanisms after the revelation of the "Cum-ex" tax evasion scandal, which cost the EU up to €55 billion and affected at least 11 member states. The case politically touched Olaf Scholz, Germany's former Chancellor, due to a former associate, with the German government maintaining that he had no knowledge of the money connected to SPD politician Johannes Kahrs.
And of course, let us not forget the best one: The direct involvement of European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen in the Pfizergate scandal, where the European Court ruled that she violated the EU's transparency rules by refusing to grant access to messages she exchanged with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla before signing the contract for the provision of COVID-19 vaccines.
Ultimately, no matter where you look in the EU, at any level, high or low, there is extensive non-transparency, intertwining of interests, and corruption.
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