Laura Kövesi Steps Down as European Chief Prosecutor After Seven Years

Laura Kövesi's seven-year mandate as the first European Chief Prosecutor ends today, 31 October 2026. As her term cannot be renewed, her deputy, German prosecutor Andres Ritter, takes over leadership of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).

Kövesi, a former head of Romania's anti-corruption agency, was appointed in October 2019 despite opposition from her own government. The EPPO, established by EU regulation in 2017, began operations on 1 June 2021. It investigates and prosecutes crimes affecting the EU's financial interests, including VAT fraud, money laundering, corruption, and misuse of EU funds.

During her tenure, Kövesi had public disagreements with several member states, including Greece and Croatia. In Croatia, disputes arose over jurisdiction in cases involving former health minister Vili Beroš and the Geodetic Faculty project, where EU funds for 3D scanning of damaged buildings were investigated. Croatian authorities argued they were not responsible for certain oversight, and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković requested an apology for insinuations regarding Minister of Culture Nina Obuljen Koržinek. The jurisdiction dispute is expected to be resolved by a ruling from the Court of Justice of the EU next year, which will set a precedent for 14 member states with similar systems.

In a farewell interview, Kövesi said the EPPO achieved above-expected results in its first years but warned that its future depends on preserving independence and credibility. She cited insufficient resources, delays in operational regulation changes, and bureaucratic obstacles as key challenges.

Andres Ritter, an experienced German prosecutor, now assumes the role of European Chief Prosecutor.