What happened yesterday feels almost historic - and it could escalate into one of the most serious institutional crises Europe has faced in decades. For what seems to be the first time in the EU’s modern political history, virtually every major media outlet across the continent carried the same headline: the unfolding story involving Mogherini, Sannino and Zegretti.According to reports from Politico, Euractiv, the Financial Times, Die Welt, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Deutschlandfunk, Die Zeit, Handelsblatt, ANSA, Il Corriere, De Tijd, De Standaard, De Morgen, La Libre, Público, Expresso, Gazeta Wyborcza, Rzeczpospolita, SME, El País, El Mundo and the FD, Belgian authorities have detained former HR/VP Federica Mogherini and senior diplomats Stefano Sannino and Cesare Zegretti as part of a fraud investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). Searches reportedly took place at the EEAS, the College of Europe and several private homes.Yesterday, I was still wondering who the third person involved was. It turns out to be Mr. Zegretti - someone I personally know. And to even speak with him, or have him address me directly, I had to go through a well-known senior professional who acted as an intermediary. Otherwise, Mr. Zegretti - working within an institution financed by us, by Europeans - simply would not speak to anyone. That alone already revealed a great deal about the internal culture.And honestly: on what planet, and in which university, is such behaviour considered acceptable? What a shame.This episode also inevitably brings back earlier controversies: Mogherini’s appointment itself sparked significant debate and criticism, and the College of Europe has previously come under public scrutiny following allegations of misconduct, including cases of sexual harassment. These incidents had already raised difficult questions about governance and accountability - and today’s developments only deepen those concerns.Politico reports that the current probe places President von der Leyen under intense political pressure, with observers warning that it could turn into one of the most serious institutional crises in decades. Critics are already calling for another vote of no confidence and warning that the EU’s credibility could be severely damaged, even as officials underline that the Commission itself is not directly implicated.Politico’s Brussels Playbook also quotes Cristiano Sebastiani of the EU staff union Démocratie et Renouveau, who said: “I’ve already gotten tens of messages sharing the frustration of the staff to be again the victims of reputational damages,” adding that the prevailing sentiment is “shock and dismay.”Thank you, @EUProsecutor , for existing. I hope this case finally bursts the bubble - and becomes a genuine turning point for the whole of Europe. This is how the European project becomes stronger, fairer, and more accountable.The road ahead will not be easy. The people at the heart of these institutions know each other well - sometimes almost like members of a family. And that makes honesty, transparency and accountability all the more essential.
