Federica Mogherini was removed from the presidency of the College of Europe
Federica Mogherini, the former foreign policy chief of the European Union, who for years was known as a left-leaning politician and had close ties with Mohammad Javad Zarif’s team during her tenure, resigned from her position at the College of Europe following a Belgian police raid as part of an investigation into a financial fraud case.
Mogherini, who wrote her university thesis on Islamic studies, was in charge of running the central office at the College of Europe, which is tasked with training diplomats. This institution is now said to be under scrutiny based on investigations and allegations of potential financial abuse and fraud in its formation and management.
According to Politico, Mogherini stepped down from the presidency of the College of Europe a few days after police inspections related to this case.
In a statement, she wrote, ‘In line with the rigor and fairness with which I have always carried out my duties, I have decided today to resign from my position as President of the College of Europe and Director of the European Union’s Diplomatic Academy.’
Federica Mogherini previously held the position of head of the European Union’s External Action Service from 2014 to 2019.