Laura Kοvesi, head of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), is in Athens this week for high-level meetings with Greek government and judicial leaders. Her goal is to strengthen the European prosecutorial presence in Greece while addressing both operational and legal obstacles that have slowed investigations into corruption and financial crime.
Kovesi’s visit comes against the backdrop of multiple high-profile scandals in Greece, including EU subsidy fraud through OPEKEPE (Greek Payment Authority of Common Agricultural Policy), alleged customs corruption, and the tragic Tempi railway disaster, all of which have drawn European-level scrutiny. Her office has also been instrumental in uncovering irregularities across the EU, from cross-border VAT fraud to large-scale misuse of agricultural and regional development funds.
Strengthening the Greek EPPO office
During her meeting with Greek Minister of Justice, Giorgos Floridis, Kοvesi emphasized the need to bolster the national EPPO office. The Justice Ministry confirmed that several of her requested measures, including increased staffing and resources, have already been implemented, with remaining initiatives planned for the near future.
A central issue discussed was Article 86 of the Greek Constitution, which currently shields political figures from certain criminal investigations. Floridis reportedly assured Kovesi that upcoming constitutional amendments will revise the article, potentially enabling the EPPO to pursue investigations without such legal obstacles.
Kovesi has also engaged with the Independent Authority for Public Revenue and will meet Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis, and other key officials to improve inter-institutional coordination in investigating EU financial crimes.
Meeting Greek judicial leadership
The European Chief Prosecutor is scheduled to meet with the Prosecutor of the Supreme Court of Greece to discuss the renewal of terms for Greek EPPO prosecutors, including Popi Papandreou, whose tenure is set to expire in the coming years. Greek law vests the Supreme Judicial Council with exclusive authority over judicial appointments and promotions, a framework that requires careful coordination with EPPO’s mandate.
Greece’s European Prosecutor, Nikos Paschalis, expressed satisfaction with current collaboration between Greek authorities and the EPPO, noting a strong foundation for ongoing investigations. Kovesi praised the productive meetings, particularly with Finance Minister Pierrakakis, and is expected to hold a press conference on Thursday detailing findings from a Europe-wide customs corruption probe while fielding questions on Greek-specific cases, including OPEKEPE and Tempi.
EPPO’s history and impact in Greece
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office was established in 2017 to protect the EU’s financial interests by investigating crimes such as VAT fraud, misuse of subsidies, and cross-border financial offenses. Greece joined the EPPO framework, appointing national prosecutors to work under Kövesi’s supervision while coordinating with domestic judicial structures.
In its early years, the Greek EPPO office faced challenges integrating with national law, including overlapping jurisdictions and procedural constraints. However, over the past five years, cooperation has strengthened, enabling Greek prosecutors to participate in high-profile EU investigations while maintaining alignment with domestic law.
Kovesi’s office has already exposed several systemic issues in Greece: misuse of agricultural subsidies through OPEKEPE, irregularities in customs operations, and fraud affecting EU-funded development projects. These investigations have sent shockwaves through both national and European institutions, signaling that no level of bureaucracy or political influence is immune from scrutiny.
Today, the Greek EPPO office is a key bridge between national and European justice systems, investigating corruption and financial crime while promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity in the public sector. Kovesi’s ongoing push for strengthened authority and resources underscores a broader European effort to ensure that financial misconduct is met with swift and coordinated legal action.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
