Federica Mogherini, the European Union's former foreign policy chief, has resigned from her leadership role at a prestigious European studies institute after being drawn into a criminal fraud investigation. The announcement was made on Thursday, 4 December 2025.
Resignation Amidst Scrutiny
Mogherini released a statement confirming her departure from the positions of Rector of the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium, and Director of the European Union Diplomatic Academy. She did not directly cite the ongoing probe as the reason for her resignation.
Instead, she stated she was acting "in line with the utmost rigor and fairness with which I always carried out my duties." Mogherini expressed pride in her team's achievements and gratitude for the support from students and staff.
Details of the Fraud Investigation
The resignation follows a significant development earlier in the week. On Tuesday, Belgian authorities conducted raids on the offices of the EU diplomatic service in Brussels and the College of Europe campus in Bruges.
Mogherini, a senior college staff member, and a senior European Commission official were all detained for questioning by the Belgian Federal Judicial Police. The European Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed they were later released as they were not considered a flight risk.
The prosecutor's office outlined the serious nature of the accusations, which include:
- Procurement fraud and corruption
- Conflict of interest
- Violation of professional secrecy
Implications and Next Steps
This development marks a significant fall from grace for a high-profile figure in European diplomacy. Mogherini served as the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy between 2014 and 2019.
Her abrupt departure from the helm of the College of Europe, an elite institution that trains future EU officials, creates immediate leadership uncertainty. The investigation by the European Public Prosecutor's Office remains active, and the legal process will determine the full consequences for all individuals involved.
The case has cast a spotlight on procurement and governance practices within EU-linked institutions, raising questions about oversight and accountability at high levels.
