EU Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi Confronts Greek Government Over Corruption Probes

Laura Kövesi Advocates for Strengthened European Prosecutor Operations successful Greece. Credit: Orestis Panagiotou / AMNA

Europe’s apical nationalist authoritative has warned Greece that it cannot straight situation the assignment oregon renewal of prosecutors handling delicate corruption cases tied to European Union (EU) funds. Laura Kövesi, caput of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, said immoderate ineligible quality indispensable beryllium taken to the European Court of Justice. She stressed that nationalist authorities cannot overturn decisions made nether EU law.

Speaking astatine the Delphi Economic Forum connected Thursday, Kövesi addressed increasing tensions betwixt Athens and European prosecutors. The quality centers connected her determination to widen the mandates of delegated prosecutors successful Greece who are investigating alleged misuse of EU funds. “The tribunal volition archer america who is close successful this,” she said.

Political backlash and enactment from the judiciary

Kövesi has faced beardown disapproval from politicians successful the ruling New Democracy party. Some officials person accused her of governmental interference successful home affairs. She rejected those claims and defended the integrity of her office. She suggested that disapproval whitethorn beryllium an effort to displacement nationalist attraction distant from ongoing investigations.

Kövesi besides rejected claims that corruption is accepted arsenic portion of nationalist beingness successful Greece. “I’m bushed of proceeding that this is however things are done successful Greece. I don’t judge it,” she said, adding that she has received letters and complaints from citizens seeking justice.

At the aforesaid time, members of Greece’s judiciary person voiced enactment for the prosecutors involved, emphasizing the request to support their independence. “No 1 successful the satellite volition person maine that corruption, maltreatment of power, fraud, oregon trading successful power are portion of the occupation statement of politicians,” Kövesi said.

High-profile investigations intensify scrutiny

The standoff comes arsenic European prosecutors prosecute 2 large cases that person shaken Greek politics.

Η Ευρωπαία Εισαγγελέας ,Λάουρα Κοβέσι δήλωσε ξεκάθαρα σήμερα στο Delfi Economic Forum ότι δεν πείστηκε από την άποψη του @AdonisGeorgiadi πως η απάτη είναι στο «job description» του πολιτικού. pic.twitter.com/VpcDhj0xzf

— Ρένα Δούρου (@RenaDourou) April 23, 2026

One involves alleged fraud successful cultivation subsidies distributed done OPEKEPE, the nationalist assemblage liable for managing EU workplace funds. At the petition of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Greece’s parliament has lifted immunity for 13 lawmakers, allowing the probe to determination forward.

A 2nd lawsuit concerns a deadly bid clang adjacent Tempi that killed 57 people. Investigators person linked the catastrophe to delays successful implementing a railway information strategy funded by the EU. Kövesi criticized ineligible protections that forestall the prosecution of definite ministers, contempt allegations tied to the case.

Dispute implicit authoritative mandates

A further clash has emerged implicit the renewal of mandates for European prosecutors successful Greece. Kövesi questioned absorption to extending the roles of prosecutors progressive successful cardinal investigations.

“Who has an involvement successful not renewing the mandate of the prosecutors who worked connected the Tempi lawsuit and OPEKEPE?” she asked.

The Greek authorities argues that specified renewals necessitate support from the Supreme Court of Greece nether the nationalist constitution. Critics accidental this raises concerns astir conflicts of interest, arsenic elder judicial appointments are made by the government.

Heavy workload and much cases expected

Kövesi besides highlighted the unit connected the Athens bureau of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. She said prosecutors are handling a ample fig of analyzable cases with constricted resources.

While she did not corroborate caller investigations, she indicated that further ineligible enactment linked to the workplace subsidies lawsuit is likely. Local media person besides reported imaginable probes into fraud involving the EU Recovery Fund.

The quality reflects broader tensions betwixt nationalist governments and EU institutions implicit authority, accountability, and the regularisation of law.

Kövesi maintained that investigations into EU fiscal crimes indispensable stay independent. She said disagreements should beryllium resolved done ineligible channels, not governmental intervention.