Ursula von der Leyen clearly distances herself from the corruption allegations that have covered the EU diplomatic service. According to her colleagues, for the head of the Commission “this case does not exist” in the context of the activities of the EC itself.
On Tuesday, December 2, Belgian services carried out morning raids and detained former EU foreign minister Federica Mogherini and former Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS), Stefano Sannin.
Although the case has received a lot of attention throughout Brussels, the European Commission has consistently kept it at arm's length. Meanwhile, the investigation is spreading wider and wider.
Commission officials have made no secret of the fact that they treat the matter as an issue relating solely to the EEAS – noting that although Sannino took up an important position at the Commission this year, the investigation relates to his time at the previous institution.
— This is not a matter of the Commission distancing itself. Another institution is simply being investigated, said one EU official.
From von der Leyen's point of view, the situation was further “made easier” by the fact that Sannino himself resigned from his position on Wednesday, December 3. The Commission announced that he had left the leadership of the Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf (DG MENA).
Three senior European Commission officials strongly emphasized that the investigation launched on Tuesday, December 2 – into the alleged irregular award of a contract to run a training academy for future EU diplomats to the College of Europe in Bruges –
has no connection with Ursula von der Leyen or with the activities of the Commission itself.
They explained that the case concerned the EEAS, which is a separate, independent institution from the European Commission.
One EU official described the attacks against the Commission chief as “unfair and imprudent”, especially as von der Leyen is currently trying to strengthen EU support for Ukraine ahead of a December summit of EU leaders.
Diplomacy in the heat of internal tensions
The whole case takes place against the background of tensions between von der Leyen and the current head of the EEAS, Kaja Kallas.
Kallas — who was not in office at the time the reported irregularities occurred — is also trying clearly distance themselves from the allegations. On Wednesday, December 3, the former Prime Minister of Estonia emphasized that since taking up the position of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in December 2024, she has been carrying out “corrective” actions.
Kaja Kallas during a press conference devoted to the meeting of the EU Council of Defense Ministers in Brussels. Belgium, December 1, 2025OLIVIER MATTHYS / PAP
In a letter to EEAS staff obtained by POLITICO, Kallas wrote that the reports of alleged abuses by Mogherini and Sannina were “concerning for her.”deeply shocking“, however, they concern the period before her term of office.
In the following months, her team was to implement internal reforms, including: develop an “anti-corruption strategy” and establish closer cooperation with EU anti-fraud institutions – OLAF and EPPO.
The most uncomfortable thread of the investigation
However, the crux of the matter remains the question of who knew about the allegations against the Sannin and at what time.
According to four EEAS staffers interviewed by POLITICO before Tuesday's raids, concerns had already been raised about the way Sannino filled attractive diplomatic positions. He allegedly allocated them to “his favorites”.
According to two people familiar with the matter, OLAF representatives visited the office of the EEAS Secretary General even before he left the institution.
Stefano Sannino at the European Parliament in Brussels. Belgium, June 25, 2025MARTIN BERTRAND / HANS LUCAS / HANS LUCAS VIA AFP / AFP
In turn, one of the EU officials assured that The commission had no knowledge of previous complaints against Sanninwhen he was hired as director of the newly established Department of Middle East and North Africa Affairs.
In a statement, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) said that before the investigation began, it had requested the waiver of the immunity of “several suspects” and its request had been accepted. However, it was not specified to which institutions the request was made.
According to the previously mentioned EU official, already in September the EPPO submitted a request to the EEAS lifting of the Sannin's immunity — and the Commission was not informed of this.
The representative of the EEAS did not directly answer the question whether such a request had been received. He only stated that the institution would act in accordance with applicable law.
It should be remembered that the allegations have not yet been proven, and Mogherini, Sannino and the third detained person enjoy the presumption of innocence until a final court verdict. Sannino did not respond to a request for comment sent to his office at the European Commission.
Tuesday's events may also exacerbate tensions between EU politicians and the Belgian authorities. Two EU officials expressed doubts about the quality of the Belgian justice system. They emphasized that although high-profile press conferences were organized and suspects were detained, there was little progress in cases such as Qatargate in 2022 or this year's investigation into the lobbying of the Chinese giant Huawei.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
