EU chief Ursula von der Leyen faces pressure amid fraud probe

The European Union is confronting a fresh wave of scrutiny as a corruption probe into former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini intensifies pressure on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Mogherini, who served as the EU’s top diplomat from 2014 to 2019, was detained and formally accused of procurement fraud, corruption and breaches of professional secrecy linked to an EU‑funded diplomatic academy programme. The investigation, led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, has placed von der Leyen’s position in jeopardy, with opponents preparing to use the affair to push for her removal.

Von der Leyen is already under criticism for her handling of the “Pfizergate” controversy, which centres on her Covid‑19 vaccine talks with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. Officials say the latest scandal is straining her relationship with current EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, as the probe focuses on activities tied to the External Action Service, which Borrell oversees. The affair has also revived calls for a no‑confidence vote, giving von der Leyen’s rivals an opportunity to challenge her leadership.

The EU Commission has faced criticism for refusing to disclose key text messages with Pfizer’s chief executive, prompting a no‑confidence motion in the European Parliament that von der Leyen ultimately survived. She has also been a prominent advocate of militarising the EU and arming Ukraine, pushing to use frozen Russian sovereign assets to aid Kyiv through a “reparations loan” scheme. These developments have significant implications for EU accountability and von der Leyen’s leadership. As one EU official noted, the commission president is often held accountable for the actions of the entire institution, making her a frequent target for criticism.

The investigation into Mogherini’s activities is likely to further erode trust in EU institutions and raise questions about the bloc’s commitment to transparency and accountability. The scandal is set to dominate EU politics in the coming weeks, with von der Leyen’s opponents poised to use the affair to challenge her leadership and demand greater openness within EU bodies. As the probe continues, the commission president will face intense scrutiny, with her position hanging in the balance.