On Thursday, Belgian police executed a search at the European Commission premises in Brussels as part of an investigation into a real estate transaction from 2024 between the Commission and the Belgian state. A source close to the investigation confirmed to AFP that this search is related to the sale of 23 European Commission buildings, which were sold for a total of 900 million euros. This investigation comes amid the Commission's ongoing efforts to reduce office space by 25% in response to a shift towards remote work following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The European Commission's press secretary stated that they are aware of the ongoing investigation and expressed confidence that the sale process was conducted appropriately. The Commission is taking the matter seriously and asserted its commitment to transparency and accountability. Additionally, they indicated that they would fully cooperate with the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) throughout the investigation.

The EPPO also confirmed that it is currently engaged in gathering evidence related to this investigation involving the European Commission. The implications of this search and the inquiry could have significant effects on public trust in EU institutions and the processes by which major financial transactions are conducted, especially in the context of accountability and oversight in governmental operations.