The resignation of Federica Mogherini, former EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, from her role as Rector of the prestigious College of Europe has deepened the crisis stemming from ongoing investigations into alleged corruption within the European Union. Mogherini stepped down on Thursday, citing the current circumstances as untenable, following a brief detention by Belgian authorities earlier in the week.
The investigation, spearheaded by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), centers around the “Diplomatic Academy” project, a training program funded by the EU and awarded to the College of Europe between 2021 and 2022. While Mogherini has publicly expressed confidence in the judicial process and offered her full cooperation with authorities, her arrest and subsequent resignation have cast a stark shadow over the institution and raised serious questions about the integrity of EU funding allocation.
The EPPO’s inquiry probes whether the College of Europe, or its representatives including Mogherini, were privy to confidential selection criteria prior to the awarding of the contract. Suspicions suggest that this sensitive information may have been shared with a favored bidder, potentially constituting a significant breach of EU procurement regulations. Concerns are now swirling about the transparency and fairness of the entire bidding process.
The arrest of Mogherini, alongside her former deputy and another EU official, represents a significant escalation in the probe, highlighting the perceived gravity of the allegations. Critics are already questioning the lack of internal oversight within both the College of Europe and the EU structures responsible for allocating these substantial funds. The incident underscores a broader vulnerability within the system, ripe for exploitation at a time when public trust in EU institutions remains fragile.
The departure of Mogherini, a figure with considerable influence and a history of shaping European foreign policy, raises questions about accountability and the potential for a deeper systemic review of EU funding practices. The investigation’s outcome is poised to have a lasting impact on the College of Europe’s reputation and, more broadly, on the perception of the EU’s commitment to transparent and equitable governance.
