Laura Kovesi, the head of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), is holding a crucial meeting with Greek Justice Minister George Floridis at the Ministry of Justice this morning at 9:30 AM. This long-scheduled visit, according to sources, takes on significant symbolic weight as it coincides with a parliamentary vote on the EPPO’s request to lift the immunity of 11 Members of Parliament and two ministers/deputy ministers from the New Democracy party. These individuals are implicated in two new case files related to the OPEKEPE scandal, a development that is intensifying pressure on the Greek government.
A Visit Amidst Hostile Climate and Accusations
Kovesi’s visit comes amidst a decidedly hostile climate created by the government and its officials, who have attempted to discredit the institution of the EPPO or question its objectivity. Notably, Adonis Georgiadis, Vice President of New Democracy and Minister of Health, made public statements suggesting that case files were being submitted in “waves” and that these were “ridiculous cases” that would eventually be archived. Even the Prime Minister himself, speaking from the floor of Parliament, called on the EPPO to prove its neutrality and offered admonishments in his message last Sunday.
Against this backdrop, Laura Kovesi enters the Ministry of Justice today. No information has been provided by the EPPO regarding the agenda of her meeting with George Floridis. Furthermore, there has been no update on whether the head of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office will meet with other government officials or judicial authorities. As of now, no press conference by the head of the EPPO has been scheduled.
The Ping-Pong of Statements and Popi Papandreou’s Tenure
Behind closed doors, it is considered likely that the discussions will address both the criticism leveled against Kovesi regarding the OPEKEPE scandal case files and the issue of renewing the mandate of the delegated European Prosecutor, Popi Papandreou. This is particularly pertinent following the back-and-forth of statements concerning her re-election. It is recalled that Adonis Georgiadis, openly targeting Popi Papandreou last week, claimed that the prosecutor brought case files to Parliament to “blackmail” for the renewal of her tenure.
The Greek office of the EPPO responded by stating that Popi Papandreou has already received a five-year renewal of her appointment, following a decision by the College of European Prosecutors. In response, the Minister of Health and Vice President of New Democracy argued that Papandreou’s tenure can only be renewed by the Supreme Judicial Council, which formally has the final say, ratifying the College’s decision. The government spokesperson did not cover, nor did he disapprove of, the minister’s statements.
A final question remains whether Laura Kovesi will publicly address these issues, commenting on whether she considers the various accusations she has received recently as an “interference” in the work of the EPPO. Or will she “catch the ball” to remind everyone of the procedures for the re-election of delegated prosecutors?
Delphi Economic Forum: A Broader Purpose
In any case, Laura Kovesi will be present tomorrow, Thursday, at the Delphi Economic Forum, which is, after all, the purpose of her scheduled visit to Greece. Specifically, she will participate in a panel titled “The Shock of the New.” The speech by the head of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office is highly anticipated. It is generally believed that any response she gives to the “toxic” (from the government’s perspective) climate created against the European Public Prosecutor’s Office will garner more interest than the central theme of the panel.
