Robbery of EVP offices
The planned meeting of the Bureau of the European People’s Party (EPP) Group in Warsaw was postponed following a police search at the party headquarters in Brussels, tied to an ongoing corruption inquiry. In Warsaw, the group’s leadership decided to reschedule the gathering for a later date after discussions led by the EPP head, Manfred Weber, and the Polish delegation head, Andrzej Halicki. The shift in plans reflected the confusion surrounding the Belgian police raid and its potential impact on the party’s image. The development was confirmed by Halicki, who noted that the situation stemmed from the Brussels investigation and did not involve any Warsaw summit or congress.
What was described as a routine Bureau meeting by some, is understood to be the core assembly of the EPP Group in the European Parliament. Typically, these meetings bring together committee heads, coordinators, and parliamentarians who handle cross-party coordination within the group. Guests from related bodies are also invited, and the attendance tends to be sizeable. Halicki explained that the purpose of such meetings is to discuss the group’s strategic priorities and to align on policy positions, with a focus on the parliamentary agenda and committee work.
There were indications that Weber wanted a rapid clarification of the German investigation involving a CDU politician connected to the 2019 European Parliament election campaign. In those discussions, the EPP’s role would be as a witness or possibly a party affected by the unfolding events rather than a direct party defendant. Halicki emphasized that the decision to postpone the Warsaw meeting did not rest with him personally but with the EPP bureau and its chair, underscoring that a new date had not yet been set.
Office discussions in Warsaw were described as thematic and practical, with participation dependent on the relevance to specific policy areas. The agenda reportedly would address Ukraine’s security and the country’s future within the European Union and NATO. That topic remained a priority for the EPP group, reflecting ongoing concerns about regional security and alliance commitments in the wake of current geopolitical tensions.
Coverage from Euractiv highlighted the broader context of the Brussels raid, noting that it had created significant concern within the Polish EPP delegation about the political repercussions for the center-right family across Europe. The reports suggested that the raid, which touched on party headquarters and involved the examination of documents and computers related to the 2019 campaign, had drawn reactions within the group and among Polish party members.
The investigation focus, as outlined in reporting, centered on a member of the German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) who played a campaign manager role within Weber’s network during the 2019 EP election cycle. By September of the previous year, legal immunity for a Thuringia state parliament member had been lifted in connection with the probe, indicating ongoing legal processes that intersect with party politics in the region.
Poland’s center-right Civic Platform (PO) was reported to have urged the EPP leadership to cancel the Warsaw gathering in response to intense criticism from pro-government media at home that sought to link the PO with the parliamentary election controversy. The reporting suggested a shift in participation by key figures, including Donald Tusk, who reportedly pulled back from Wednesday’s meeting amid media coverage attempting to implicate him in the affair since the raid occurred.
Sources cited by Euractiv noted that Weber initially favored proceeding with the meeting before changing his stance. The situation illustrated how political narratives can be influenced by media coverage and party dynamics in neighboring countries. While the ultimate scheduling decisions rested with the EPP leadership and its parliamentary bureau, the episode underscored the sensitivity of internal party affairs during investigations that involve prominent members and allied party networks.
As observers waited for a new schedule, speculation centered on how the group would navigate the delicate balance between maintaining unity, protecting its political brand in the center-right family, and addressing the implications of an active inquiry. The episode highlighted the challenges political parties face when legal matters touch on figures within allied formations across Europe, especially during moments when regional security and transatlantic cooperation remain at the forefront of policy concerns.
In related remarks, the emphasis remained on keeping discussion focused on substantive policy issues, while avoiding the appearance of premature conclusions about ongoing investigations. The scenario demonstrated how high-level parliamentary groups must manage public perception, uphold process integrity, and coordinate cross-border strategies during periods of scrutiny. The situation continues to develop as parties adjust their calendars and prepare for future deliberations that will shape the center-right’s approach to European governance in the coming months. [EURACTIV]