European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, is facing renewed allegations of having collaborated with the former Yugoslav secret police, known colloquially as UDBA.
The claims emerged following the promotion of the book “Komesarka” by Slovenian author Igor Omerza on 10 March at the European Parliament, which reportedly presents documents suggesting Kos’s involvement with the secret service.
The event was organized by Slovenian MEP Romana Tomc, a member of the European People’s Party (EPP). Immediately after the promotion, Tomc sent a letter to the European Commission referencing the book’s content. In the letter, she raised concerns that Kos may have misled the parliamentary committee during her confirmation hearings, denying any cooperation with UDBA. Tomc asked the Commission whether it was aware of the new allegations, whether it plans to verify them, and what measures it will take to ensure integrity.
However, Guillaume Mercier, spokesperson for the European Commission on enlargement, stated that the Commission had not received Tomc’s letter. He emphasized that Kos underwent a thorough vetting process before joining the College of Commissioners and that the European Parliament had approved her appointment after reviewing her declarations of interest, finding no conflicts.
Background on UDBA
The State Security Directorate (UDBA) was established in Yugoslavia in 1946, later renamed in 1966. It was known for targeting political opponents and monitoring dissidents abroad. Allegations of Kos’s involvement first appeared in 2024 during her confirmation hearings, which she denied as misinformation.
The EPP confirmed that Tomc had briefed party members about the new findings. Eurodeputies plan to question Kos during the upcoming debate on enlargement in the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) on 16 March, though Kos has informed the committee she will not be able to attend.
An EPP official said:
“Sooner or later, she will have to appear before AFET, and it will not be easy for her.”
