Brussels spy scandal edges toward political crisis – EU commissioner from Hungary denies all allegations
The European Commission is investigating alleged Hungarian intelligence operations in Brussels, following reports that Hungarian diplomats attempted to obtain confidential information from EU institutions.
As the inquiry unfolds, President Ursula von der Leyen remains silent, while Hungary’s EU Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi denies any involvement. What began as a diplomatic embarrassment is now testing the Commission’s credibility and internal cohesion.
Espionage allegations shake the Commission
The European Commission launched an internal probe into the alleged espionage attempts linked to the Hungarian government, following revelations by Direkt36 and several European outlets. According to their joint report, members of Hungary’s Permanent Representation to the EU were covertly working for the Information Office — Hungary’s foreign intelligence agency — and tried to gather classified information on EU decision-making.
The secret operations were exposed in 2017, when a key operative made a critical mistake, leading to the collapse of the entire network. The episode is particularly uncomfortable for Olivér Várhelyi, who led Hungary’s Permanent Representation between 2015 and 2019. While there is no proof of direct involvement, several sources claim it is unlikely that he was completely unaware of the intelligence activity taking place under his supervision.
Mixed reactions within the European Union
The case has triggered debate across Brussels. Some lawmakers are calling for accountability, while others emphasise due process and the presumption of innocence. Valérie Hayer, president of the liberal Renew Europe group, told Politico:
“Von der Leyen has both the responsibility and the power to act.”
She added:
“Renew Europe warned from the very beginning about Várhelyi’s nomination and his close relationship with Viktor Orbán’s government. His past conduct clearly shows that his loyalty lies more with the Orbán administration than with European values.”
Cristiano Sebastiani, president of the Renouveau & Démocratie union representing European Commission employees, called for transparency and restraint.
“Várhelyi deserves the presumption of innocence,” he said, adding that “the investigation must be swift and transparent so that such suspicions do not poison the internal atmosphere of the Commission.”
Von der Leyen under scrutiny
The situation has placed Ursula von der Leyen in a politically delicate position. Acting too quickly against Várhelyi could lead to accusations of bias against Hungary, while failing to act risks damaging the credibility of the European Commission — already under pressure to maintain internal accountability.
According to Politico, Várhelyi met with von der Leyen last Sunday and personally told her that he had “no knowledge” of any recruitment attempts linked to the Hungarian government.
The Commission has since launched a formal internal investigation and set up a dedicated task force to examine the allegations. In a statement, it said the matter is being taken “very seriously.” Von der Leyen has not yet made any public comment on the Hungarian commissioner’s response.
The Hungarian government remains silent
The Hungarian government has not issued an official response to the Brussels investigation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office have declined to comment on the allegations. So far, the only senior figure to address the issue has been János Lázár, Minister of Construction and Transport.
At a public event in Kaposvár, Lázár said that if Hungarian intelligence had indeed gathered information in Brussels,
“they should be praised, not scolded.”
He argued that intelligence services have a duty to protect their country’s interests. During the period under investigation — between 2012 and 2018 — Lázár oversaw the Information Office, the agency alleged to have been behind the operations.
Commission faces a test of credibility
The scandal has already caused tension between Brussels and Budapest. The real test now lies in how the European Commission manages the investigation. If concrete evidence emerges, the fallout could extend beyond Várhelyi himself, affecting Hungary’s already strained reputation within the European Union.
Have the EU strap Oliver Varhelyi to a chair and give him a lie detector test. That nightmare must be in the dreams of every Fidesz politician.