In a letter addressed to the European Commission on Friday, 22 May, European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) expressed her concerns about recent legislative amendments and decisions in Greece that could affect [the EPPO’s] “independent and effective functioning”.
In fact, the 19 May reform of the Greek Code of Criminal Procedure establishing a special procedure for crimes committed by members of Parliament stipulates that investigations targeting MPs for serious crimes will be entrusted to a special investigating judge, effectively sidelining European prosecutors.
However, as our fellow journalists at Politico have pointed out by way of reminder, the EPPO is conducting an investigation into suspected European agricultural subsidy fraud, notably concerning aid paid to individuals for land they did not own or for agricultural work that was never carried out. Thirteen Greek MPs have already lost their parliamentary immunity in connection with this case.
According to an EPPO statement, this reform “has a negative effect” on its ability to effectively investigate and prosecute offences that fall within its competence in Greece.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office also denounces the Hellenic Supreme Judicial Council’s decision to refuse to fully recognise the decision that the College of the EPPO took on 12 November 2025 to renew the mandate of three European delegated prosecutors for five years.
In the EPPO’s view, these elements give rise to “serious doubts” as to whether the Greek authorities are complying with their obligation of sincere cooperation under Article 4(3) of the Treaty on European Union. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)