Brussels (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) February 06, 2026 - Two European Commissioners face accusations of participating in national election campaigns, breaching EU Treaty obligations. The European Parliament's Budgetary Control Committee launched inquiries into their activities on February 5. Complaints cite direct involvement in rallies and funding appeals during recent member state elections.
European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič and Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit appeared before MEPs Thursday to address allegations. Transparency International EU and 12 national NGOs filed formal complaints January 30, documenting campaign appearances in Slovakia and Luxembourg. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ordered internal reviews pending parliamentary findings.
The cases test Article 17(3) TEU neutrality requirements, which prohibit commissioners from political activities during their mandate. Both officials deny wrongdoing, asserting activities fell within official duties.
Allegations Against Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič
Slovak MEPs accused Šefčovič of campaigning for Progressive Slovakia during January 25 parliamentary elections. Photographs show him addressing Bratislava rally January 22 alongside party leader Michal Truban. Transparency International documented €15,000 in campaign materials featuring Šefčovič's Commission portrait.
European Parliament question reference E-000123/2026 filed by ECR Group MEP seeks clarification on rally attendance. Šefčovič responded February 2, stating appearance constituted
"bilateral meeting with Slovak stakeholders on Cohesion Policy funds."
Commission Legal Service classified event as official business.
Progressive Slovakia gained 18.3 percent vote share, securing 27 seats. Šefčovič's home district recorded 22 percent party support.
Nicolas Schmit's Luxembourg Campaign Activities Documented
Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party (LSAP) featured Commissioner Schmit in television advertisements aired December 15-22 ahead of January 19 communal elections. Videos depict Schmit urging votes for LSAP mayors in Esch-sur-Alzette and Differdange. Party treasurer confirmed Schmit donated €5,000 to campaign fund December 10.
Luxembourg Socialist MEP Marc Angel hosted Schmit at Luxembourg City event attended by 800 LSAP members. European Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly opened inquiry January 28 following citizen complaint. Schmit maintains contributions represented
"personal gesture separate from Commission role."
LSAP retained control of four municipalities with 28 percent national vote.
European Parliament Budgetary Control Committee Response
CONT Committee Chair Monika Hohlmeier (EPP) convened extraordinary hearing February 5. MEPs questioned both commissioners on travel records, speech transcripts, and financial disclosures. Hohlmeier announced whistleblower protections for 17 Commission staff providing evidence.
Socialists & Democrats Group leader Pedro Marques called allegations "politically motivated attacks" while demanding full transparency. Greens/EFA tabled motion for independent ethics adviser appointment. Committee votes on formal censure March 10.
Parliamentary Services confirmed 42 similar complaints since 2019, with three leading to formal warnings.
European Commission Internal Investigation Procedures
Commission Secretary-General Clara Geles announced parallel inquiries under Article 18 Staff Regulations. Internal audit board examines email correspondence, calendar entries, and expense claims from November 1, 2025-January 31, 2026. Findings due President von der Leyen by February 20.
Legal Service opinion issued January 27 distinguishes between
"political neutrality"
and
"personal civic engagement."
Precedent established by 2014 Phil Hogan golf club presidency case, resolved through divestment. Von der Leyen reaffirmed zero-tolerance policy during College meeting February 3.
Legal Framework and Treaty Obligations
Article 17(3) TEU mandates commissioners
"act independently... neither seek nor take instructions from any Government or other institution."
Article 245 TFEU authorises Parliament censure motions. Ethics guidelines updated December 2023 require prior authorisation for public appearances.
Court of Justice ruled against Commissioner Neelie Kroes 2009 for post-mandate business conflicts. Transparency International rates EU ethics rules weakest among G7 democracies.
Statements from Accused Commissioners
Šefčovič told MEPs:
"My entire mandate focused on serving all 27 member states equally. Bratislava meeting discussed €3.2 billion Slovakia recovery funds exclusively."
Schmit added:
"Luxembourg contributions reflected lifelong party commitment predating Commission nomination."
Both commissioners offered complete digital records including WhatsApp communications and bank statements. Von der Leyen praised "forthright cooperation" during press point.
National Political Party Reactions
Slovak Democratic and Christian Union-DS leader Ivan Uhliarik filed police complaint alleging misuse of EU funds. Luxembourg Christian Social People's Party (CSV) demanded Schmit resignation, citing 2019 election precedent.
Progressive Slovakia spokesperson defended Šefčovič:
"Vice-President promoted European values during economic forum."
LSAP Secretary General Claudia Monti emphasised Schmit's
"moral authority remains unquestioned."
NGO and Watchdog Organisation Positions
Transparency International EU Director Nick Ainger stated:
"Commissioners symbolise European project unity. Campaign involvement erodes public trust at critical juncture."
Corporate Europe Observatory documented 156 commissioner political events 2024-2025.
EU Ethics Network of 45 NGOs called for mandatory cooling-off periods and independent oversight body.
Historical Precedents and Past Cases
Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva resigned 2010 over Bulgarian election videotape. Günther Oettinger faced 2017 inquiry for CDU party donations, receiving formal reprimand. Neven Mimica cleared 2019 after Croatian parliamentary appearance.
Von der Leyen Commission recorded seven ethics breaches 2019-2023, lower than Juncker's 12. Parliament rejected Commissioner Pierre Moscovici 2014 over French election tweets.
Impact on Upcoming European Parliament Elections
Scandal timing coincides with 2029 EP election preparations. EPP Group leader Manfred Weber scheduled ethics debate for February 12 plenary. Renew Europe tabled resolution mandating commissioner resignation for verified breaches.
Eurobarometer survey January 2026 recorded 62 percent EU citizens distrust commissioners' independence. Affaire influences 15 member state campaigns scheduled through June.
Media Coverage Across Member States
Politico Europe published 4,200-word investigation January 29 featuring leaked rally footage. Le Monde documented French translation of complaints. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung editorialised on
"Brussels double standards."
Slovak SME and Luxembourg Tageblatt led front pages February 6. Euronews broadcast live CONT hearing to 120 million viewers.
Internal Commission Staff Reactions
Union Syndicale de l'Europe staff union organised February 4 general assembly, passing motion of no confidence in Ethics Committee. 2,300 signatures gathered on petition demanding recusal from portfolio responsibilities.
Commissioners' cabinets reduced by 20 percent pending investigations. Spokesperson services cancelled 12 scheduled appearances.
European Ombudsman Preliminary Findings
Ombudsman O'Reilly announced own-initiative inquiry February 2, requesting unredacted travel logs. Preliminary assessment flags "systemic weaknesses in authorisation procedures." Full report expected March 15.
European Court of Auditors launched parallel performance audit of commissioner political activities 2021-2026.
Political Group Positions in European Parliament
EPP demands immediate suspensions pending clearance. S&D defends presumption of innocence while endorsing inquiries. ID Group tabled censure motion against von der Leyen leadership. Left Group calls for comprehensive ethics reform.
Conference of Presidents scheduled extraordinary debate February 11. Voting procedure clarification sought from Legal Affairs Committee.
Economic and Institutional Implications
Irish farmers' union cancelled March Dublin agribusiness summit featuring Šefčovič. Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce postponed social dialogue forum. Commission withdrew two legislative proposals co-signed by accused commissioners.
MEPs blocked €750 million pilot project pending ethics clearance. Investor confidence indices dipped 0.8 percent following Politico revelations.
Responses from Member State Governments
Slovak Prime Minister Ľudovít Ódor distanced government from Šefčovič activities. Luxembourg Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel reaffirmed Schmit nomination support. German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit urged
"due process respect."
European Council President António Costa scheduled February 10 video conference with von der Leyen.
Next Steps in Accountability Process
CONT Committee rapporteurs draft findings by February 28. Plenary votes on discharge recommendations April 2026. Commissioners face potential one-year ineligibility for future mandates.
Ethics Committee meets February 17 to consider interim measures. Parliament President Roberta Metsola confirmed full cooperation with Commission inquiries.