EU could face its biggest crisis in decades, writes Politico

The arrests in Belgium of former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and former Secretary-General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Stefano Sannino are expected to further intensify the conflict between the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Politico reports, citing sources.

According to an EU official who supports the Commission president, “those who dislike von der Leyen will use anything against her,” as they have done in the past.

Another source told the newspaper that it would be unfair to hold von der Leyen responsible for the actions of “all EU institutions,” including the EEAS.

A day earlier, it was reported that Mogherini and Sannino had been arrested in Belgium on suspicion of fraud. No charges have yet been brought against Mogherini, Sannino, or the third individual detained. The investigating judge has 48 hours from the start of questioning to decide on further steps.

As part of the investigation into possible misuse of EU funds, searches were carried out at the EEAS headquarters in Brussels, at the College of Europe in Bruges, and in several private homes in Belgium.