Kovesi concludes mandate at EPPO with €67 billion in investigations and warnings
Laura Codruță Kovesi concluded her seven years leading the European Public Prosecutor's Office on Friday, leaving behind an institution with 3,602 active investigations. She warns that the EPPO risks being weakened by underfunding and political pressure.
Seven years at EPPO: Kovesi hands over leadership with record results and concerns for the future
Laura Codruță Kovesi concluded her mandate as Chief Prosecutor of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) on Friday, after seven years leading the institution she built from scratch. According to News.ro, the former head of Romania's National Anti-Corruption Directorate leaves behind an institution investigating fraud estimated at over €67 billion, but warns that its independence and effectiveness are threatened by underfunding, bureaucratic obstacles and political pressure.
From 1 November, leadership of the EPPO will be taken over by German prosecutor Andrés Ritter, appointed for a seven-year mandate.
From zero to 3,602 active investigations
Kovesi became, in October 2019, the first European Chief Prosecutor, after having led the DNA in Romania. The European Public Prosecutor's Office, headquartered in Luxembourg, began operational activity on 1 June 2021, with the competence to investigate and prosecute criminal offences affecting the financial interests of the European Union — fraud involving European funds, corruption and serious cross-border fraud in VAT matters.
In an evaluation report published on 18 September, the European Commission assessed that the EPPO functions very efficiently, finding substantial growth in the institution's activity. The number of active investigations increased from 515 in 2021 to 3,602 at the end of 2025. The value of estimated damage in ongoing investigations reached €67.27 billion, according to the EPPO's 2025 annual report — a sum representing suspected damage in cases under investigation, not recovered funds or fraud proven in court.
In 2025 alone, European prosecutors opened 2,030 new investigations, approximately 35 per cent more than in the previous year. The conviction rate in cases concluded by judgment stood at almost 95 per cent.
The European Commission highlighted the EPPO's contribution to combating fraud against the EU budget, whilst also identifying difficulties regarding human and financial resources, as well as in cooperation with national authorities.
"The key challenge will be maintaining independence"
In an interview given to POLITICO before concluding her mandate, Kovesi warned that the results obtained do not guarantee the institution's future. "The key challenge for the EPPO and, in particular, for my successor will be maintaining the EPPO's independence and credibility," she said.
Kovesi denounced insufficient funding, delays in legislative reforms and administrative obstacles hindering the work of European prosecutors. According to her, the EPPO would need 230 delegated European prosecutors, but available funding covers only 180.
The former DNA head also criticised the attitude of some European politicians and officials towards criminal investigations, claiming that in Brussels there are people who seem to consider themselves above the law. Kovesi maintained that judicial independence is defended by politicians as long as investigations do not target them or their associates, a situation which changes when investigations affect their interests.
Among the examples mentioned is the situation in Greece, where Kovesi believes the EPPO faced one of the most obvious intimidation attempts, in the context of investigations into alleged fraud involving European agricultural subsidies.
Jurisdiction conflicts and "Pfizergate"
Kovesi also drew attention to jurisdiction conflicts between the EPPO and national judicial authorities, which can delay or block investigations. Asked whether she was also referring to the investigation into anti-COVID-19 vaccine procurement — known as "Pfizergate" — she refused to comment on specific cases.
Despite the difficulties, Kovesi stated that the European Public Prosecutor's Office has demonstrated that it can combat cross-border fraud and contribute to protecting the budget of the European Union. She described leading the EPPO as the most difficult position in her career, specifying that she would not change anything if she had to start over again.
Source: News.ro