TL:DR – European Parliament leaders criticise Commissioners for attending EPP event
• On Thursday, 6 February 2026, Raffaele Fitto and Andrius Kubilius attended an EPP political gathering in Slovenia, raising concerns among socialist and liberal leaders.
• Iratxe García Pérez and Valérie Hayer sent a letter to Ursula von der Leyen, alleging potential breaches of conduct rules by the Commissioners.
• The gathering included endorsements for Janez Janša, whose party leads opinion polls ahead of the 22 March election.
• A European Commission spokesperson stated that Fitto and Kubilius were in Slovenia in their official capacity, focusing on EU matters.
Two European commissioners under fire for alleged election campaign involvement
Leaders of the socialist and liberal groups in the European Parliament, Iratxe García Pérez and Valérie Hayer, expressed concerns over the attendance of European Commission Vice-President Raffaele Fitto and Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius at a European People’s Party (EPP) political gathering in Slovenia on Thursday. They sent a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, alleging that the Commissioners may have breached internal conduct rules by participating in a political event just weeks ahead of Slovenia’s elections.
This incident underscores rising tensions within the Parliament’s centrist majority, as the socialists and liberals accuse the EPP of conflating institutional responsibilities with partisan politics. The event, held in Ljubljana, featured prominent political figures, including former Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janša, who is currently leading in opinion polls ahead of the 22 March election.
Concerns Raised Over Event Involvement
Fitto and Kubilius attended the EPP gathering alongside various senior figures and heads of national Member of Parliament delegations. Though the Commissioners refrained from making political statements, García Pérez and Hayer contended that their presence at a press conference aimed at endorsing Janša represents a breach of the rules. They warned that such actions could be viewed as prioritising party commitment over institutional duties in a national election context.
A spokesperson for the European Commission stated that Fitto and Kubilius, along with European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, visited Slovenia “in their official capacity.” The spokesperson further emphasised that their interventions were strictly on EU matters and relevant issues within their portfolios, reinforcing that maintaining political contacts with member states falls within a commissioner’s responsibilities.
Political Context Behind the Meeting
Kubilius, a former Lithuanian Prime Minister and well-known EPP figure, reportedly met with Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob and other officials during his visit. His office mentioned that he was advocating for EU defence readiness. Similarly, Fitto’s office asserted that his trip concentrated on exploring the benefits of EU cohesion funding for Slovenia, rather than backing any political party.
The EPP views the Ljubljana meeting as a political event rather than a campaign one, according to a group spokesperson. This letter marks yet another chapter in ongoing disputes among parties supporting Ursula von der Leyen’s European Commission, as socialists and liberals continue to express apprehension regarding the EPP’s increasing collaboration with far-right factions.
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