President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen is confronting one of the most serious accountability crises to hit the European Union in decades, after EU prosecutors detained two high-profile former officials in a fraud investigation.

Tensions escalated after Former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and one of the bloc’s senior diplomats Stefano Sannino were taken into custody on Tuesday (2 December).

The arrests took place as Belgian police carried out raids linked to an ongoing fraud investigation into the European External Action Service (EEAS), officials familiar with the matter reported.

EEAS, the EU’s foreign policy arm, was led by former Commission Vice President Federica Mogherini until 2019. She has served as rector of the College of Europe, a key training institution for future EU officials since 2020.

The third person detained in connection with the probe is Cesare Zegretti, co-director of the College of Europe’s Executive Education, Training, and Projects Office, according to a source familiar with the case.

Reportedly, the investigation was caused by “strong suspicions” that a 2021–2022 tender to create a diplomatic academy linked to the college was conducted unfairly.

As of now Mogherini, Sannino and Zegretti have not been charged. An investigative judge has 48 hours from the start of their questioning to decide on further action.

Prosecutors say the alleged misconduct, if proven, could amount to procurement fraud, corruption, conflict of interest, and breaches of professional secrecy.

The detentions have triggered renewed calls in Brussels for a fourth vote of no confidence against the European Commission president von der Leyen, only a year into her second term.

The case immediately escalated political tensions in Brussels as critics capitalised on the announcement to argue that von der Leyen bears responsibility for the behaviour of senior EU figures, even if events occurred outside her direct control.

“The credibility of our institutions is at stake,” said Manon Aubry, co-chair of The Left in the European Parliament.

Several EU lawmakers say the scandal calls into question von der Leyen’s commitment to transparency.

Meanwhile, Commission officials pushed back, insisting the responsibility lies with EEAS, the EU’s autonomous diplomatic arm led by High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.

“I know the people who don’t like von der Leyen will use this against her, but they use everything against her,” one of the Commission officials noted.

“Because President von der Leyen is the most identifiable leader in Brussels, we lay everything at her door,” the official added, “It’s not fair that she would face a motion of censure for something the External Action Service may have done. She’s not accountable for all of the institutions.”

According to four EU officials, the case has further strained relations between von der Leyen and Kallas, as Sannino previously led the EEAS until early 2024. Earlier this year Sannino left his secretary-general job and took up a prominent role in von der Leyen’s Commission.

The Commission declined to comment on Sannino’s detention.

The College of Europe also refused specific answers regarding Mogherini but said it remained committed to the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and compliance.

If allegations are confirmed, the scandal would be the largest to hit the EU since the 1999 mass resignation of the Jacques Santer Commission over financial mismanagement — raising pressure on von der Leyen at a time when political divisions within the EU are already deepening.

Copied