Damage Control in Brussels

The European Commission plays a central role in EU governance, acting as both the executive body and a regulatory authority. Its legitimacy is built on trust, transparency, and adherence to ethical norms. However, political scandals can severely damage this legitimacy, triggering crises that require strategic communication and reputation management. This paper examines the EC's crisis communication strategy through two high-profile scandals: the Dalli Cash-for-Influence Scandal (2012) and the Barroso Revolving Doors Scandal (2016). Using five key crisis management indicators—speed, openness, rule application, tone, and reform engagement—this analysis assesses the effectiveness of the EC’s response and extracts key lessons for political crisis management.