Name: Mogherini resigns as College of Europe rector amid fraud accusations
Uploaded: 2025-12-04T17:18:58.109Z
Duration: 1 min 15 s
Description: In a letter addressed to her students and alumni, the former EU foreign policy chief announced her resignation as rector of the College of Europe, the university specialised in European affairs.

In a letter addressed to her students and alumni, the former EU foreign policy chief announced her resignation as rector of the College of Europe, the university specialised in European affairs.

Bruges

Federica Mogherini, former EU High Representative, has resigned from her position as rector of the College of Europe after being accused of fraud and corruption. The European Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating whether tendering rules were broken in awarding a training course for young diplomats at the institution between 2021 and 2022.

Belgian authorities have searched several locations, including the College of Europe and the European External Action Service offices. Mogherini and two other suspects, including Stefano Sanino, have been formally notified of accusations such as procurement fraud, corruption, and conflict of interest.

Mogherini resigns as College of Europe rector amid fraud accusations

The EU's former High Representative Federica Mogherini has resigned as rector of the College of Europe following accusations of fraud and corruption. An investigation into Mogherini was launched by the European Public Prosecutor's Office after she and two other suspects were questioned on Tuesday, with Belgian authorities searching the offices of the European External Action Service, the College of Europe in Bruges and several private homes. Mogherini had led the elite institution which specialises in European affairs since 2020. The investigation is centred on whether tendering rules were broken in the award of a nine-month training course for young diplomats at the College between 2021 and 2022. On Wednesday, the three suspects were formally notified of accusations including procurement fraud, corruption, conflict of interest and violation of professional secrecy. Stefano Sanino, former EEAS Secretary General, is also under investigation and has taken early leave from his current role at the European Commission.

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