Laura Codruța Kövesi, whose seven-year term as head of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) ends on Friday, warns that insufficient funding, administrative delays, and political pressure threaten the institution’s independence and credibility. In an interview with Politico, she said the EPPO could be undermined in its efforts to carry out its duties.
Kövesi highlighted three key risks: inadequate funding, delays in critical decisions, and complex administrative procedures. The EPPO ideally needs 230 delegated prosecutors, but the budget only covers 180. She also criticised limited security resources and delays in updating operational rules, which could hinder investigations into fraud affecting EU and national budgets.
She pointed to challenges in Greece and Poland, where jurisdictional conflicts and staffing shortages have complicated operations. Kövesi rejected claims that political interests influenced investigations, noting that recent cases aimed to determine the fraudulent use of EU funds, not manipulate election outcomes.
Addressing critics who argue the EPPO undermines national sovereignty, Kövesi argued that organised crime thrives on a lack of coordination between national authorities. She asserted that collaboration with the EPPO actually enhances citizens’ protection and security.
Reflecting on her tenure, Kövesi said the EPPO has helped detect more crimes across member states and strengthened safeguards for the EU budget, calling her time in office the most challenging of her career, but one she would do again.
