Laura Kövesi, the head of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), is due to complete her term in the coming days, leaving behind a tenure marked by high-profile investigations into suspected corruption and the use of European Union funds. Her departure comes as Greece’s national team of European prosecutors continues to handle dozens of open cases, including investigations involving the agricultural payments agency OPEKEPE and the Tempi train disaster.
Kövesi’s successor, German prosecutor Andrés Ritter, is expected to take over leadership of the European institution, which she was the first to head. Her tenure gave the relatively new body a prominent public profile, particularly in Greece, where its investigations have drawn sustained political attention.
People familiar with Ritter, who spoke to To BHMA, describe him as strict, institutionally minded and committed to enforcing the law in cases involving the management of EU funds. He is not expected to adopt the same forceful public rhetoric as Kövesi, according to those familiar with him, but his approach to the office’s work is expected to remain rigorous.
The leadership transition is taking place as Greece enters an extended and politically complex pre-election period, with several significant investigations still pending.
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Athens watches Ritter’s appointment closely
The Greek government is following the change in EPPO leadership with particular interest. The investigations pending before the Greek delegation have become a major concern for the government, especially after criminal proceedings were initiated against government figures over the OPEKEPE case.
Further prosecutions involving the handling of EU funds could carry significant political consequences during the election period.
According to information obtained by To BHMA, Greece did not support Ritter’s selection as EPPO chief and instead backed other candidates. Following his appointment, government officials have reportedly begun coordinated efforts to establish closer contact with the German prosecutor.
Kövesi had repeatedly brought attention to the issue of ministerial liability in Greece, arguing that the legal framework governing the prosecution of ministers was relevant to investigations such as those involving OPEKEPE and the Tempi train crash.
Changes within Greece’s European prosecution team
The leadership transition in Luxembourg coincides with changes within the EPPO’s Greek delegation, which is responsible for investigating offenses affecting the EU’s financial interests in Greece.
One of its most experienced prosecutors, Evgenia Kyvelou, is leaving the delegation after being promoted to the Prosecutor’s Office of the Supreme Court of Greece by a decision of the Supreme Judicial Council. Her departure is expected to leave a significant gap that another prosecutor will have to fill.
The term of Eleni Karkabouna, the senior prosecutor who supervises the Greek delegation from the Supreme Court Prosecutor’s Office, is also due to expire in a few months.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has decided that Popi Papandreou’s term will last two years rather than the five years she had requested. Kövesi had supported Papandreou’s request for the longer term.
Three new prosecutors are also expected to join the Greek delegation soon to strengthen its capacity. The team is handling dozens of ongoing investigations, and its existing staff have struggled to manage the workload.
One of the incoming prosecutors is Dimitrios Zimianitis, an experienced prosecutor who previously served in the EPPO when the institution was established, including at its headquarters in Luxembourg. His prior experience is expected to help the Greek team manage its extensive caseload.
Questions over the pace of investigations
Despite the criminal proceedings already launched in the OPEKEPE case, questions have been raised about why other major investigations have yet to be completed.
Among the cases cited are inquiries involving recycling, water meters, spending related to the refugee crisis and dozens of other files. OPEKEPE itself remains under investigation in several areas, with the case described by some observers as resembling the mythical Hydra, whose heads multiplied when cut off.
Sources within the EPPO say the investigations remain active. The OPEKEPE proceedings, including pending trials involving four lawmakers from the governing New Democracy party, continue to occupy prosecutors within the Greek delegation.
Of the 13 governing-party lawmakers initially accused in connection with OPEKEPE, only four were ultimately referred for trial. Their cases are expected to be heard by the end of November.
The first trial, involving New Democracy lawmaker Katerina Papakosta, who represents Trikala, has already been postponed until November.
The case concerns suspected irregularities in agricultural subsidies administered through OPEKEPE, Greece’s agency responsible for distributing EU agricultural aid.
Government criticism over OPEKEPE case
The initial wave of prosecutions against government figures, followed by the decision to close the cases against most of them, prompted strong criticism from the government over the handling of files concerning allegedly illegal subsidies.
Government representatives accused the Greek delegation of the EPPO of pursuing political objectives. Prosecutors have rejected those accusations.
The dispute has added to the political sensitivity surrounding the European prosecutor’s work as the country moves through what is expected to be a prolonged election period.
Other open cases remain under scrutiny
The large number of unresolved investigations involving EU funds is a source of concern for the government and individual officials. According to the report, officials are wary of another major case involving the misuse of European money emerging during the campaign period.
The relative public quiet surrounding the EPPO’s investigations should not, according to information cited in the report, be interpreted as inactivity or a reduction in investigative intensity. Instead, the approach is described as more cautious, with the aim of avoiding procedural or case-management mistakes that could undermine the conclusions of completed investigations.
Nevertheless, some observers see the current calm as a possible prelude to further developments.
The change at the top of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, alongside the staffing changes in Greece and the continuing investigations into EU fund management, is therefore taking place against a backdrop of considerable political and legal uncertainty.