Former EU Foreign Affairs Chief Federica Mogherini Arrested in Embezzlement Investigation

On Tuesday, the Belgian police arrested three individuals as part of an inquiry into the embezzlement of European funds. Among those apprehended is Federica Mogherini, an Italian politician, former Vice President of the European Commission, and currently the Rector of the College of Europe, a renowned institution for European studies. Mogherini was interrogated by authorities and subsequently released, with no suspicion of her being a flight risk. The Belgian prosecutor's office alleges that Mogherini may have violated European procurement regulations concerning a tender from the European Commission that was awarded to the College shortly after her appointment as rector. Born in Rome in 1973, Mogherini began her political career in the youth organization of the Italian Communist Party, later moving through various center-left parties and ultimately joining the Democratic Party. She was elected to the Italian parliament in 2008, focusing on foreign policy while also serving on the Defense Committee. In February 2014, under Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, she was appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs; shortly after, she was suggested for the role of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs in the European Commission of Jean-Claude Juncker. Mogherini held this position during her tenure, which included a mandate as Vice President of the Commission. Following her term's conclusion in 2020, she became the rector of the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium; a prestigious postgraduate institution often seen as a pathway to careers within the EU institutions. Mogherini was well-known and respected at that time but faced significant criticism regarding her appointment. Students, faculty members, and various EU officials openly challenged her qualifications for the role, suggesting that she was chosen through the influence of Herman Van Rompuy, former President of the European Council and head of the College’s board of directors. Reports indicated that over 30 candidates applied for the rector position; however, Van Rompuy allegedly disregarded these applicants, deeming their profiles unsatisfactory and selecting Mogherini instead. Her background diverged significantly from that of previous rectors, who typically possessed PhDs and had established academic careers at the College. While Mogherini graduated with a degree in Political Science from La Sapienza University in Rome, she did not pursue an academic path or have experience within the College. Moreover, the job posting for the rector required candidates to have demonstrable experience managing a complex academic structure—qualifications Mogherini lacks. It was generally deemed unsuitable for the new rector to emerge directly from a high-ranking position within the European Commission, especially considering the Commission's role as the primary funder of the College of Europe. The ongoing investigation by magistrates concerns European Union funds awarded to the College. Prosecutors suspect that some College representatives may have received early information advantageous for securing a tender from the EU's External Action Service (EEAS)—the Union’s diplomatic entity—before the public announcement of the tender. This funding was aimed at supporting the European Union Diplomatic Academy, a nine-month training initiative for young diplomats, conducted between 2021 and 2022 following a favorable tendering process. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2