Europe’s top public prosecutor has warned Greece that it cannot directly challenge the appointment or renewal of prosecutors handling sensitive corruption cases tied to European Union (EU) funds. Laura Kövesi said any legal dispute must be taken to the European Court of Justice. She stressed that national authorities cannot overturn decisions made under EU law.
Speaking at the Delphi Economic Forum on Thursday, Kövesi addressed growing tensions between Athens and European prosecutors. The dispute centers on her decision to extend the mandates of delegated prosecutors in Greece who are investigating alleged misuse of EU funds. “The court will tell us who is right in this,” she said.
Political backlash and support from the judiciary
Kövesi has faced strong criticism from politicians in the ruling New Democracy party. Some officials have accused her of political interference in domestic affairs. She rejected those claims and defended the integrity of her office. She suggested that criticism may be an attempt to shift public attention away from ongoing investigations.
Kövesi also rejected claims that corruption is accepted as part of public life in Greece. “I’m tired of hearing that this is how things are done in Greece. I don’t believe it,” she said, adding that she has received letters and complaints from citizens seeking justice.
At the same time, members of Greece’s judiciary have voiced support for the prosecutors involved, emphasizing the need to protect their independence. “No one in the world will convince me that corruption, abuse of power, fraud, or trading in influence are part of the job description of politicians,” Kövesi said.
High-profile investigations intensify scrutiny
The standoff comes as European prosecutors pursue two major cases that have shaken Greek politics.
One involves alleged fraud in agricultural subsidies distributed through OPEKEPE, the national body responsible for managing EU farm funds. At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Greece’s parliament has lifted immunity for 13 lawmakers, allowing the investigation to move forward.
A second case concerns a deadly train crash near Tempi that killed 57 people. Investigators have linked the disaster to delays in implementing a railway safety system funded by the EU. Kövesi criticized legal protections that prevent the prosecution of certain ministers, despite allegations tied to the case.
Dispute over prosecutor mandates
A further clash has emerged over the renewal of mandates for European prosecutors in Greece. Kövesi questioned resistance to extending the roles of prosecutors involved in key investigations.
“Who has an interest in not renewing the mandate of the prosecutors who worked on the Tempi case and OPEKEPE?” she asked.
The Greek government argues that such renewals require approval from the Supreme Court of Greece under the national constitution. Critics say this raises concerns about conflicts of interest, as senior judicial appointments are made by the government.
Heavy workload and more cases expected
Kövesi also highlighted the pressure on the Athens office of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. She said prosecutors are handling a large number of complex cases with limited resources.
While she did not confirm new investigations, she indicated that further legal action linked to the farm subsidies case is likely. Local media have also reported possible probes into fraud involving the EU Recovery Fund.
The dispute reflects broader tensions between national governments and EU institutions over authority, accountability, and the rule of law.
Kövesi maintained that investigations into EU financial crimes must remain independent. She said disagreements should be resolved through legal channels, not political intervention.
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