Former EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders faces serious allegations of money laundering tied to his past role as head of Belgium’s National Lottery. Belgian police recently conducted searches in locations connected to Reynders, who allegedly used funds of unclear origin to purchase lottery tickets, subsequently laundering the profits through his own accounts.
The accusations have prompted criticism from Witold Waszczykowski, former Polish Foreign Minister and MEP for the Law and Justice (PiS) party. Speaking with Niezalezna.pl, Waszczykowski described corruption within EU institutions as systemic, fueled by flawed lobbying practices that allow external actors to influence legislation. He cited sectors such as energy and ecology as particularly vulnerable, with allegations of Russian funding being funneled to environmental groups to promote gas over nuclear energy.
Waszczykowski also criticized the EU’s selective standards in assessing rule of law and other benchmarks, suggesting that favorable reports are often secured through political influence or outright bribery. Highlighting past scandals like the Katargate affair involving former European Parliament Vice-President Eva Kaili, he claimed that Reynders exemplifies “national corruption disguised by high-ranking EU positions.”
Labeling Reynders as a “teacher of rule of law” who acted with “double standards,” Waszczykowski drew attention to his past criticism of Poland’s judiciary reforms. “He attacked Poland like a thief shouting ‘stop the thief!’” Waszczykowski concluded, pointing to what he sees as hypocrisy in EU institutions.