The resignation of Federica Mogherini as Rector of the prestigious College of Europe has sent ripples through European political circles, following her brief detention by Belgian authorities on suspicion of corruption. The episode, centered around a probe into alleged fraud within an EU-funded diplomatic training program, raises serious questions about oversight and ethical conduct within the Union’s institutions.
Mogherini, formerly the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stepped down from her role following a two-day investigation spearheaded by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). While she maintains her innocence and expresses full confidence in the judicial process, the circumstances surrounding her detention and the ongoing investigation have forced her to relinquish her leadership position at the College of Europe, an institution critical in shaping the next generation of European diplomats.
The EPPO’s investigation focuses on the “Diplomatic Academy” project, awarded to the College of Europe in 2021-2022. Authorities are scrutinizing whether the institution or its representatives gained prior knowledge of the selection criteria for the project and whether confidential information was passed on to a potential applicant. This suggests a potential breach of the competitive bidding process, undermining the integrity of EU funding and implying a lack of transparency in the allocation of resources.
The case extends beyond a simple allegation of fraud. The involvement of a former EU High Representative – a position of considerable influence and international standing – casts a long shadow over the EU’s commitment to ethical governance. It necessitates a thorough review of the procedures surrounding EU-funded programs and a greater focus on safeguarding the impartiality of selection processes. Critics are already questioning whether sufficient safeguards exist to prevent such situations and whether the EPPO’s powers, established relatively recently, are adequate to effectively address such high-profile corruption allegations.
Furthermore, the detention of Mogherini’s former deputy and a current EU official alongside her underscores the potential scale of the investigation and raises concerns about possible systemic issues within the institutions involved. The release of the individuals due to a lack of flight risk does not negate the seriousness of the allegations. The scrutiny now intensifies on the College of Europe itself and on the larger EU structure responsible for oversight and accountability of these vital training programs.