Outgoing European Chief Prosecutor warns of efforts to undermine the EPPO

Outgoing European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kovesi, whose seven-year term concludes on October 31, 2026, has warned that the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) faces the threat of being slowly dismantled due to its commitment to independent investigations. In an interview with POLITICO, Kovesi cited systemic obstacles, including chronic underfunding, complex bureaucratic structures, and delays in legal framework reforms, as primary challenges hindering the office's operations.

Kovesi specifically highlighted Greece as the site of the most significant intimidation attempts against the agency, linking these efforts to the renewal of European Delegated Prosecutors' terms. She rejected claims of political motivation regarding the EPPO's ongoing investigations into OPEKEPE subsidies, asserting that these cases remain active in court and are unaffected by election cycles. Despite the pressure, she maintained that she would repeat her actions if given the opportunity, suggesting that institutional behaviors must change.

German prosecutor Andres Ritter is scheduled to succeed Kovesi as the head of the EPPO starting November 1, 2026. He inherits an organization navigating intense political scrutiny and structural limitations, with the immediate task of managing the ongoing investigations into high-profile subsidy cases.