Mitsotakis government scandals: EPPO continues investigations after Kövesi
Laura Kövesi's departure from the European Public Prosecutor's Office does not mark the end of investigations into New Democracy government scandals.
EPPO does not halt: scandals remain independent of Kövesi's tenure
According to In.gr, government officials and certain media outlets welcomed the conclusion of Laura Kövesi's tenure as head of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO). The narrative cultivated by these quarters seeks to portray Kövesi as having abused her authority, as having pursued her own agenda, and as having unjustly targeted Greece by exposing scandals that, according to them, did not exist.
The reality, however, is different. Kövesi was not removed from office, was not dismissed, and was not deemed insufficient. She completed her tenure normally, exactly as provided for by European regulations. Moreover, with the exception of the New Democracy government, there is no generalised wave of protest in Europe against the EPPO as an institution.
What was the scope of the European Public Prosecutor's Office
Kövesi's role was to operate in coordination with European Prosecutors from each member state, so as to address the squandering of European resources and cross-border VAT fraud. The aim was the clarification of cases, the preparation of case files, and subsequently their referral to the competent judicial bodies to determine guilt or innocence.
The fact that within this framework the EPPO revealed possible criminal liabilities of ministers and politicians is not evidence of targeting—on the contrary, it represents a consequence of its operation in accordance with its mandate, where there were clear indications of illegality.
Scandals that Kövesi did not "fabricate"
In.gr recalls that a series of cases predated the EPPO and cannot be attributed to some "anti-government bias".
First, there were serious problems with contracts for the railway network. If the relevant works had been completed in a timely and proper manner, according to In.gr's analysis, the tragedy at Tempi might not have occurred. This is a scandal with tragic human consequences, for which full investigation and accountability are required.
Second, there was the OPEKEPE scandal, with extensive squandering of European funds through a party mechanism that utilised resources to create a more favourable political climate in favour of New Democracy.
Third, serious irregularities are recorded in several Recovery Fund contracts—from "rigged tenders" to excessive fees for consultancy firms—as well as in other tenders and procurements. These cases are already under investigation.
EPPO does not change course
The European Public Prosecutor's Office dealt with and continues to deal with these cases because of genuine indications of corruption, mismanagement, and waste of resources—not because it maintains some hostility towards the Mitsotakis government. As long as scandals exist, investigations will continue, regardless of who leads the EPPO.
Furthermore, the stance adopted by New Democracy—using its parliamentary majority as a permanent acquittal for certain ministers—constitutes a matter of perception regarding the legitimacy and integrity of governance, independent of the criminal aspect.
The operation of European institutions and their control mechanisms is not determined by informal government documents—the so-called "non papers". It is determined by European legislation and the principles of the rule of law; principles which, according to In.gr, the government treats as obstacles that can easily be circumvented.
Source: In.gr