Kövesi says Greece saw EPPO's clearest intimidation attempt as Farantouris seeks Commission action

Kövesi's Politico interview

Laura Kövesi, the European Chief Prosecutor, gave a wide-ranging interview to Politico on 28 October, speaking by video call from her office in Luxembourg. She said the clearest attempt to intimidate the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) took place in Greece, tying it to the renewal of three Greek delegated prosecutors' terms. She called her seven-year term the most difficult professional experience of her tenure, citing attacks on and efforts to undermine the office's independence. Her term ends on Friday, 30 October. She warned that EPPO risked being gradually undermined because it does its job, and said the revision of the office's regulation would be the next real test.

The Areios Pagos ruling

The dispute began when the Supreme Judicial Council renewed the terms of three Greek delegated European prosecutors for two years. The college of EPPO had decided on a five-year renewal, and the office challenged the shorter extension before the Areios Pagos. The plenary of the Areios Pagos rejected that challenge as inadmissible by 72 votes to 10, reasoning that under Greek law only judicial officers themselves may appeal on service status matters. The ruling did not decide whether the terms should run for two years or five.

Reactions in Greece

Maria Lepenioti, justice spokesperson of the Greek Left Alliance (ΕΛ.Α.Σ.), said in a written statement that the court's decision undermines the office's work. She argued that

“the refusal of the requested five-year renewal creates obstacles to the work of the European Public Prosecutor's Office”

Her party added that Kövesi's remark confirms an effort to avoid investigating scandals that hit the country. Former prime minister Giorgos Papandreou also responded, saying that the Greek government's efforts to obstruct accountability are unacceptable.

“Efforts by the Greek government to prevent accountability and to discredit those investigating the misuse of European funds are condemnable.”

The request to Brussels

On 29 October, PASOK MEP Nikolas Farantouris, a member of the European Parliament's budget committee, made his request from Brussels. He asked the Commission to take an official position on Kövesi's accusations of intimidation and obstruction. He also asked for concrete steps to ensure member states cooperate fully and safely with EPPO, and for measures protecting the independence of European investigative authorities so that fraud complaints involving EU funds are examined without political interference. Farantouris said Parliament is fighting for more resources while governments in the Council push for cuts, and he added:

“Threats and intimidation against investigative and audit authorities cannot be tolerated.”

The OPEKEPE case

Kövesi also addressed the OPEKEPE agricultural subsidies case, which critics in Greece say shows EPPO meddling in politics ahead of elections. She rejected that criticism outright, saying the office had already completed some indictments and those cases are now before the courts. She said a request to lift parliamentary immunity does not mean guilt. She also said she was alarmed by one candidate for her successor who presented a plan to normalise the office, and by another who spoke of keeping equal distance from all political parties.