The Great EU Budget Heist: 5 Billion Euros Gone in 2022!
In 2022, the European Public Prosecutor's Office revealed a substantial 5 billion euro damage to the EU budget due to the misuse of EU funds
HOT: » Assessing the Legacy of Bulgaria's "Denkov" Cabinet: Achievements, Failures, and What Comes Next
Giovanni Kessler, the head of EU anti-fraud authority OLAF, has had his immunity from prosecution lifted, EU authorities have confirmed.
He is to be inquired by Belgian authorities in relation to a lobbying scandal dating back to 2012 in which he is suspected of involvement for unlawfully recording a phone conversations.
An inquiry from Politico revealed earlier this week a pending decision from the EU Commission to revoke his immunity had taken longer than usual.
New Europe reports the decision was taken in a restricted session of the weekly College meeting of the Commission on March 02.
Other media outlets quote Commission sources as saying the delay had been related to an attempt at applying pressure on Kessler to step down.
New Europe cites a "well-placed source" saying that EU Budget and Human Resources Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva had been offering Kessler a different position in exchange for his resignation, in a move that would have helped him keep his immunity.
In 2012, EU Health Commissioner John Dalli resigned in relation to an OLAF investigation of his possible involvement in a lobbying scandal with a tobacco company. Kessler's ties to the scandal are now to be investigated.
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In a sobering assessment of the current geopolitical landscape, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has sounded the alarm, cautioning that Europe is entering a "pre-war era"
The Czech Republic has revealed the dismantling of a vast network of Russian influence spanning across Europe, with Bulgaria among its targeted countries
The European Prosecutor's Office in Sofia has taken legal action against an individual suspected of fraudulent activities involving European subsidies, as announced by the Luxembourg-based institution
German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall has secured a substantial financial boost from the European Union, receiving over 130 million euros to enhance its ammunition production capabilities
Eurostat's recent publication on Wednesday showed insights into hourly labour costs across the European Union (EU) in 2023, indicating a notable rise compared to the previous year
A major security breach has taken place within the EU police service – Europol, as detailed by the online publication 'POLITICO'
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