Laura Codruța Kovesi: "The problem of Europe is not the criminals, but the politicians"

In an interview, Laura Codruța Kovesi, Chief Prosecutor of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), discussed the challenges faced during her mandate, emphasizing that the most difficult was the acceptance of the institution's independence by the European Union. Kovesi described the tendency of European institutions to "soften" the fight against corruption as "exhausting." She recounted an incident where a high-ranking official of the European Commission asked her to "tone down" the issue of corruption, to which she firmly responded that the EPPO must investigate any allegations.

Kovesi highlighted that, despite existing prevention structures, suspected fraud amounts to 67 billion euros. She mentioned Greece as an example of the limitations of the current system, particularly in the case of the train accident in Tempi, where political immunity hindered the investigation. Kovesi also emphasized the lack of resources for the EPPO and the disinformation campaigns it faces. In conclusion, she warned that the issue of corruption is not just a matter of individuals, but a mentality present in European institutions.