[CLSTR]
< Back to situations

Monitor this situation.

[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [INTERNATIONAL]

2 clusters · 36 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

EPPO investigations into EU political party funding

Overview

The European Public Prosecutor Office (EPPO) has launched investigations into the potential misuse of funds by major political groups within the European Parliament.

On October 21, 2026, the EPPO conducted searches at administrative offices in Brussels and Strasbourg. The probe targets the former Identity and Democracy (ID) political group regarding the alleged misuse of approximately 4.3 million euros in EU funds between 2019 and 2024. The investigation focuses on improper donations and non-compliant public procurement. While the Patriots for Europe group claims no legal continuity with the dissolved ID group, a 2025 committee opinion suggested the new group could be treated as its economic successor for fund recovery.

By October 23, 2026, reports emerged of a separate EPPO investigation into the European People's Party (EPP). This inquiry concerns the suspected misuse of funds involving over 500,000 euros paid to two Greek consultants for communication work prior to the 2024 European Parliament elections. While the European Parliament approved 110,000 euros in payments, it refused to reimburse the full amount, labeling the costs excessive and leaving the EPP to cover approximately 350,000 euros. Former employees have alleged the compensation was disproportionate to the work performed, though the consultants involved have disputed these claims.

Entities

European Public Prosecutor's Office · European Parliament · Philip Claeys · Patriots for Europe · German Bundestag

Timeline

  1. [POLITICS] 3 sources
    European Public Prosecutor's Office investigates EPP over fund misuse

    The European Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating the EPP for suspected misuse of over 500,000 euros in consultant fees.

  2. [INTERNATIONAL] 33 sources
    European Public Prosecutor Office searches EU Parliament offices

    The EPPO searched European Parliament offices in Brussels and Strasbourg during an investigation into the alleged misuse of 4.3 million euros by the former Identity and Democracy group.

Sources

ceskenoviny.cz · dan.co.me · diebewertung.de · dk-online.de · economiematin.fr · econoTimes.com · elmercuriodigital.net · fehmarn24.de · fr.euronews.com · gr.euronews.com · hnonline.sk · hotnews.ro · ilhas.li · ipreunion.com · ledauphine.com · leinetal24.de · leprogres.fr · lopinion.fr · n1info.rs · news.yam.md · nordbayern.de · noticiasdeNavarra.com · nova.rs · nyheder24.dk · ocafezinho.com · onetz.de · politiquematin.fr · reader.gr · ruse.news · saarbruecker-zeitung.de · safenews.md · SeznamZpravy.cz · trumedia.ro · upday.com · volksfreund.de · wz.de