Didier Reynders, the former EU Commissioner for Justice, has spent much of his career preaching on the rule of law and European values, positioning himself as an advocate for integrity and transparency.

As EU Commissioner for Justice, Reynders was a harsh critic of Malta’s Citizen by Investment programme, which allows non-EU citizens to qualify for citizenship through significant investment and intense scrutiny. Reynders argued that such programmes pose risks to European values, and he took a leading role in the European Commission’s legal actions against the Maltese islands, asserting that such schemes were incompatible with the EU’s principles of sincere cooperation and unity.

This very man now finds himself under investigation by Belgian authorities for potential money laundering, related to his alleged use of large sums of cash to purchase lottery tickets over several years. The money from these tickets was reportedly transferred into his personal bank accounts.

While Reynders strongly criticised Malta for exercising its legal rights, accusing the country of undermining European values, he now faces scrutiny over financial transactions that tarnish his own image. The very issues he publicly condemned, such as potential financial misconduct, are now the protagonists of his own legal troubles.

Last October, the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice delivered a non-binding opinion supporting Malta’s right to grant citizenship. This opinion, though not yet final, reinforces Malta’s sovereignty over its own citizenship criteria, and further prooves the legitimacy of our Citizenship programme. Eligible investors go through rigorous scrutiny, ensuring that the programme remains transparent and compliant with EU regulations. The Advocate General’s opinion, which holds significant weight, also casts doubt on the basis for Reynders’ earlier opposition to Malta’s programme.

While Reynders’ investigation is entirely separate from Malta’s programme, the nature of the scrutiny he faces is ironic. The self-appointed guardian of European values, is now the subject of an investigation into his own financial transparency.

Photo: Belga / Hatim Kaghat