EU Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi has called for sweeping changes to Greece’s justice system, urging constitutional reform to remove immunity rules that shield ministers from corruption probes involving EU funds.
Speaking in Athens on Thursday, Kövesi directly criticised Article 86 of the Greek constitution, which requires parliament’s approval before prosecutions against ministers can proceed.
“Article 86 on the liability of ministers is contrary to European legislation and must be changed,” she said, warning that the provision has already weakened ongoing investigations.
“Change the constitution and this will not happen again.”
Kövesi, who heads the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), said immunity rules had blocked scrutiny of senior officials in high-profile cases, including misuse of EU farm subsidies and fraud linked to the €41 million “Contract 717” railway safety project.
She has previously argued that the 2023 Tempi rail disaster, which killed 57 people, might have been avoided if the contract had been implemented.
Her visit comes amid mounting public distrust in Greece’s justice system, with a March poll showing 74% of citizens lack confidence in the judiciary.
Critics, including PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis, have accused the government of fostering a “threefold cycle: corruption, cover-up, and impunity.”
Constitutional reform, however, remains a long road. Amending Article 86 requires a three-fifths parliamentary majority followed by ratification in the next elected parliament, meaning changes could not be enacted before the 2027 elections.
During her trip, Kövesi also pressed Greek ministers to provide more resources to EPPO and grant it direct investigative powers in Greece, though such reforms would depend on a future revision of EPPO’s mandate at EU level.
