Belgian police and EU prosecutors investigate Guy Verhofstadt over parliamentary intern management
The Belgian federal police and the European Public Prosecutor's Office have opened an investigation into former prime minister Guy Verhofstadt regarding the management of parliamentary interns.
Investigation into intern management
Belgian federal police officers are conducting an inquiry into former prime minister Guy Verhofstadt under the authority of the European Public Prosecutor's Office. The European Anti-Fraud Office, known as OLAF, is also participating in the joint investigation, according to reporting published on 3 October 2026 by Knack. The inquiry has been underway since the beginning of 2026. Judicial and police authorities are examining the management and oversight of parliamentary interns inside the European Parliament. The inquiry centers on administrative arrangements and staffing decisions carried out during the years Verhofstadt led the former liberal parliamentary group. Federal police investigators are reviewing institutional procedures connected to parliamentary traineeships.
Leadership of the ALDE parliamentary group
The time frame under examination relates to Verhofstadt's prolonged leadership of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe group, known as ALDE. Verhofstadt served as the president of the ALDE group from 2009 until 2019, leading the liberal political faction throughout that ten-year period. His parliamentary service continued after his group presidency until 2024, the year he officially stepped down as a member of the European Parliament. Investigators are scrutinizing historical staffing records and management practices that were in place during his parliamentary mandate. The European Public Prosecutor's Office, which oversees cross-border financial and administrative investigations, declined to provide comment or disclose additional details regarding the ongoing case.
- Verhofstadt assumes leadership of the ALDE group in the European Parliament
- Verhofstadt concludes his ten-year presidency of the ALDE group
- Verhofstadt steps down as a member of the European Parliament
- EPPO and Belgian federal police launch investigation into intern management
- Knack reports on the investigation as defense confirms OLAF information request
Defense response and procedural status
Lawyers representing Verhofstadt addressed the findings published in the press, providing context on their client's interactions with European authorities. Defense attorneys Christine Mussche and Quinten De Keersmaecker confirmed that OLAF requested information concerning the supervision of parliamentary interns. The legal team asserted that Verhofstadt was not personally involved in directing or supervising interns in his role as political group leader. The attorneys also emphasized that no concrete allegations or formal charges have been lodged against the former Belgian prime minister. Verhofstadt has not been summoned or heard for formal questioning by investigators at this stage.
Attorneys Christine Mussche and Quinten De Keersmaecker summarized the situation in their statement to Knack.
OLAF has only requested information from our client about the management of a number of interns in the European Parliament, in which he as group president was not personally involved. Verhofstadt himself has not yet been heard and there is currently no concrete allegation against him. He is fully cooperating.
Oversight of European parliamentary staff
The inquiry brings together the Belgian federal police and the European Public Prosecutor's Office to review compliance with European Union staffing rules. OLAF contributes administrative and investigative support to determine how intern contracts and daily supervisory responsibilities were handled within the parliament. While police inquiries have been active throughout 2026, the case remains at an investigative phase without formal judicial proceedings opened against specific individuals. Verhofstadt's defense team reiterated that their client continues to grant full cooperation to European investigators and administrative bodies.
