⚖️ EU commissioners face scrutiny over campaign event in Slovenia

Oneliner

Two EU commissioners, Raffaele Fitto and Andrius Kubilius, are under fire for attending a campaign event in Slovenia organized by the European People's Party (EPP) ahead of national elections. The S&D and Renew groups in the European Parliament have sent a letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, expressing concerns that their participation violates the Commission's neutrality principles. The Commission defended the visit as politically balanced, stating that the commissioners engaged with both government and opposition representatives. This incident highlights ongoing tensions within the EU Parliament regarding political impartiality.

Key points

• Commissioners Fitto and Kubilius attended an EPP event, raising concerns about neutrality.
• S&D and Renew groups sent a letter to von der Leyen demanding accountability.
• The Commission defended the visit as politically balanced and within guidelines.
• The incident highlights tensions within the EU Parliament ahead of Slovenia's elections.

Links

• ANSA: Socialisti e liberali contro Fitto, 'era ad un evento elettorale in Slovenia' - Altre news - Ansa.it
• ANSA: Borchia (Lega), 'su Fitto in Slovenia polemica sterile' - La voce degli Eurodeputati - Ansa.it
• ANSA: Tridico (M5s), 'grave partecipazione Fitto a evento elettorale in Slovenia' - La voce degli Eurodeputati - Ansa.it
• ANSA: Ue, 'Fitto in Slovenia a evento del Ppe? Regole rispettate' - Altre news - Ansa.it
• Euronews: Two EU commissioners under fire for alleged election campaign involvem
• Europa Press: Socialistas y liberales en el PE critican que dos comisarios acudan a un acto de campaña de la derecha en Eslovenia

Facts

• Commissioners Fitto and Kubilius attended an EPP event in Slovenia on February 5, 2026.
• The Slovenian elections are scheduled for March 22, 2026.
• The S&D and Renew groups sent a letter to Ursula von der Leyen expressing concerns over neutrality.
• The EPP event included endorsements for Janez Janša, a leading candidate.
• The Commission claims the visit was politically balanced and focused on EU matters.

Quotes

• Such participation risks undermining the Commission’s reputation for neutrality — Iratxe García Pérez
• They carried out a politically balanced programme — Commission spokesperson Maciej Berestecki

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