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European Parliament maintains its support to the Romanian candidate for European Chief Prosecutor
At the request of the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament, President David Sassoli will send in the next hours a letter to the Council recalling the Parliament's full support to Laura Codru?a Kövesi as European Chief Prosecutor, a press release sent by the EP's press office informs.
President Sassoli said, "Ahead of the informal meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in Helsinki, the Parliament wishes to renew its commitment to Laura Codru?a Kövesi as the European Parliament's candidate for European Chief Prosecutor. It is key that the investigation and prosecution of alleged crimes against the EU budget, such as fraud, corruption or cross-border VAT fraud be ensured as quickly as possible . "
According to Article 14 of the Regulation establishing the European Public Prosecutor's Office, "The European Parliament and the Council shall appoint by common accord the European Chief Prosecutor for a non-renewable term of 7 years. The Council shall act by simple majority". The appointment of the European Chief Prosecutor is a co-decision of the EP and the Council.
In the previous term, the Civil Liberties Committee and the Budget Control Committee heard the three candidates shortlisted by a selection panel: Jean-François Bohnert from France, Laura Codru?a Kövesi from Romania and Andres Ritter from Germany. After this, both committees selected Laura Codru?a Kövesi as their choice.