Laura Codruța Kövesi, the European Chief Prosecutor, spoke to German broadcaster ARD about corruption within the European Union and its deadly consequences, using the tragic rail accident in Tempi, Greece, as a key example.
The Tempi rail disaster claimed 57 lives and Kövesi pointed out that investigations revealed Greece had received millions in EU funds intended to upgrade its railway signalling system. She emphasized that if the project had been completed properly and on time, the tragedy might have been avoided.
Kövesi’s role as head of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office involves investigating corruption cases ranging from fraud in EU subsidies to cross-border crimes. According to reports, some of the largest fraud cases in the EU fall under her jurisdiction. She stressed that no country in Europe is free from corruption, fraud related to subsidies, or tax and customs evasion.
In 2024 alone, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office under Kövesi opened investigations into over 2,666 cases, estimating the damage to EU funds at nearly 25 billion euros.
Kövesi admitted that her work has made her unpopular with some politicians, who have warned her not to speak publicly about these cases or release sensitive information. She expressed surprise that even in Europe there is a tendency to avoid addressing problems when they arise.
Kövesi became Romania’s youngest and first female Chief Prosecutor in 2006 at age 33, in one of Europe’s most corrupt countries. She explained that witnessing how corruption affected daily life motivated her to make a meaningful difference through her work. In 2019, she became the first woman to hold the position of European Chief Prosecutor.
Regarding Germany, Kövesi noted it is not immune to corruption either, especially tax fraud that causes the German tax authorities to lose nearly 10 billion euros annually.
Despite the challenges, Kövesi remains resolute. “Corruption will never disappear,” she said. “But the fight is worth it, because a sense of justice is essential for citizens and democracy. This can only be achieved with an independent and strong judiciary.”
