Although I have written numerous times about the newly created European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), an article in today’s Politico prompted me to return to the topic.
Currently, there are two serious candidates for the job of chief prosecutor: the Romanian Laura Codruţa-Kövesi, the famed former head of the Romanian Direcția Națională Anticorupție (DNA), and the French Jean-François Bohnert, prosecutor-general at the Court of Appeals in Reims. In March, the European Parliament endorsed Codruţa-Kövesi as its candidate for the job. Bohnert is the favorite of the European Council. A final decision still hasn’t been reached. However, a few days ago we learned that Bohnert, who was strongly supported by Emmanuel Macron, was offered the job of heading France’s Financial Prosecutor’s Office. It looked as if Macron no longer insisted on a Frenchman for EPPO and that Codruţa-Kövesi’s appointment was thus pretty much assured.
In light of the above, I was very surprised to read that Bohnert has no intention of withdrawing from the race. In fact, he argues that he is much more qualified for the job than is his Romanian rival. His claim is that Codruţa-Kövesi focuses too much on the corruption of politicians when that is only a small part of the job. As he put it, “it’s like using binoculars, if you change the focus it’s not the same.” He quoted the text of the law which states that EPPO will “investigate, prosecute and bring to judgment the perpetrators of offenses against the Union’s financial interests.” When he went into details of the office’s mandate, his emphasis was on work that “will involve going after criminals responsible for VAT fraud and other crimes.” This emphasis on cross-border crimes most likely stems from his tenure (2003-2007) as France’s deputy representative to Eurojust, an agency of the European Union created to improve the handling of serious cross-border crime by stimulating investigative and prosecutorial coordination.
Bohnert’s argument seems weak to me. Just because in Romania, as in so many former communist countries, Codruţa-Kövesi mostly encountered criminals who happened to be politicians doesn’t mean that she would be unqualified to head an office that also goes after criminals outside the political sphere. Bohnert’s attitude, as reflected in the article, leads me to believe that the gentleman from Alsace doesn’t quite understand the seriousness of the problem in the East-Central European countries which, at least in Hungary’s case, means systemic corruption on the highest political level. If he accuses Codruţa-Kövesi of narrowly focusing on the kinds of financial-political crimes she encountered in Romania, he can be charged with concentrating on the kinds of cross-border crimes he encountered while working for Eurojust.
I fear that Bohnert will be apt to look upon EPPO as a new version of Eurojust. For example, he thinks that countries that are currently non-members “could still be investigated if there is a link to another country that is on board.” Well, he can investigate until doomsday in the non-member Hungary; it will not take him very far. OLAF could investigate too, without any tangible results. In fact, Hungary’s first argument against setting up EPPO was that the European Union already has an adequate body, Eurojust. Yes, VAT frauds cannot be tolerated, but the political banditry that goes on in some of the newer EU countries does more than financial damage. It shakes people’s trust in democracy and, in the final analysis, in the European Union.
Interestingly enough, according to Romania Journal, Bohnert is still up for the job to head the French Financial Prosecutor’s Office and appeared at a hearing on his nomination on July 11. Yet he is remaining in the race whose outcome depends on which body will come out on top, the European Parliament or the European Council. Currently 22 countries are participating members of EPPO. Hungary, Poland, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, and the United Kingdom are non-participants. Romania fought tooth and nail against considering Codruţa-Kövesi for the job, but since President Klaus Iohannis, a liberal, represents Romania in the European Council, a Romanian veto shouldn’t be taken for granted. The question is whether Poland and Hungary are eligible to vote. Common sense tells me that, since they are non-participating members, they shouldn’t have the right to express an opinion, but I don’t know the rules.
Laura Codruţa-Kövesi has several points in her favor. First, she is from a region whose politicians didn’t fare well during the negotiations that eventually led to the current team of top leaders. Having a Romanian in this important post would help to rectify the present geographical imbalance. Second, the area she comes from is the most infected by corruption, which in most cases cannot be neatly divided between purely financial and purely political crimes. A good example of the coalescence of the two is the case of István Tiborcz, the son-in-law of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Judging from Politico’s article, Bohnert doesn’t seem to grasp the nature and depth of corruption in those countries that have been the chief recipients of the largesse of the taxpayers of the western member states. According to calculations, 90% of all Hungarian government projects have been financed by the European Union. There are different calculations on how much of that money is stolen outright, but even that which is not directly stolen goes into the pockets of Viktor Orbán’s favorites who yearly take out enormous “dividends” from the profits they make on EU-financed government projects.
At the time of Codruţa-Kövesi’s endorsement by the Conference of Presidents, Ska Keller, president of the Greens, said that “the European Parliament is sending a strong message that we take the fight against corruption, fraud and cross-border crime seriously by endorsing someone with such experience and expertise.” We will see whether the heads of government agree.
I am only guessing:
Jean-François Bohnert does not put much emphasis on investigating and prosecuting the corruption among politicians, because it will be the politicians (some of who are corrupt) whose vote he needs to get the job.
Very possibly a good guess Gyula. There is the Orban and the Romanian in your face corruption. Then there is the much more subtle influence driven corruption that is prevalent in the core nations of Europe. Laura Codruţa-Kövesi is an impressive fighter against corruption in every regard, honestly it is amazing Liviu Dragnea never had her eliminated.
Re: Codruta-Kovesi
Yes, an impressive fighter. She’s been around for quite awhile. Considering what she was up against she showed staying power which produced results. Frankly just by dint of her courage, intelligence and strength of will and personality the position begs to be filled by her.
And those who think she might be ‘for sale’ well they have another thing coming. She’s completely onto those who always want to see foxes leading goose jury trials.
Lovely lovely pic today. Truth stuffed down the mouth. 😎
Today will be interesting in and for the EU.
Ursula vdL already showed her ineptitude or lacking experience not knowing the different EU institutions and some people say this is a bad sign for her – even the Tkom news:
https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/id_86099864/tagesanbruch-ursula-von-der-leyen-was-wenn-das-schiefgeht-.html
Rather OT:
Whatever happens tonight (election starts at 18 o’clock, results are expected an hour later) can be considered a birthday present for Angela Merkel who turns 65 tomorrow …
Will she be happy with it?
“Bohnert’s attitude, as reflected in the article, leads me to believe that the gentleman from Alsace doesn’t quite understand the seriousness of the problem in the East-Central European countries which, at least in Hungary’s case, means systemic corruption on the highest political level.” No wonder Orban at el fooled these clueless jackasses a hundred times and will continue to fool them forever. The naivety and cluelessness of these Western “experts”, who by the way have supreme self confidence in their abilities, are staggering. As if these supposedly educated, cultured, successful gentlemen/women don’t even read a Guardian, Economist, Le Monde, FAZ or whatever serious newspaper exists in their own country (let alone politico.com or similar internet media). These Eloi just sip their lattes, have their lunches in their Michelin starred restaurants, run from one “meeting” to another etc. but in reality they have zero clue about reality. And note that Bohnert is already a thoroughly vetted, selected candidate with serious backing not just nobody who decided to enter the game at his own initiative (imagine the other candidates then). Hate to be right about these inbred enarques but that’s reality. I am not surprised that the working class is livid and… Read more »
Marty, that’s not applicable to all EU-politicians!
Don’t you remember the two thirds majority re article 7 against Hungary?
The problem are the Clerical Fascists who are (still …) in power all over Europe and are often involved in the rampant corruption – there are several “nice” examples in Germany e g.
PS:
Interestingly enough many so called Social Democrats also realized the lure of money, just look at former German chancellor Schröder who works openly for Putin’s companies. He probably needs the money for his latest (fourth or fifth?) wife, much younger than him of course …
Now why does that remind me of Trump? 🙂
Here’s an interesting background article which appeared today – IPS is SPD oriented:
https://www.ips-journal.eu/regions/europe/article/show/a-clever-political-staging-3600/
Both VAT and EU subsidies related corruption are big money issues, plus the political rot with the latter. FYI m. Bohnert, the Hu institutionalized corruption, ie. the mafia state (similar to those in the middle Asia -stans) is huge, eg. in 2017 the two leading front man L.Mészáros Lőrinc and L. Szíjj alone won 25% of all gov procurement or HUF 606,5 billion = 1.6% GDP. https://transparency.hu/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CPI_2018_narrativ_20190128-1.pdf (lots of info!) The estimates of TI are pretty conservative, ie. something they have solid proofs for, while imo the real figures are significantly higher. Bearing in mind that ALL gov and local gov (in Fid hands) contracts, down to the small town square benches, are overpriced by no less than 20%, up to 90% repeat 90%, the real figure of corruption is probably around 1% GDP, higher than the VAT cross border frauds in any EU country. Not to speak about the brazen lies and deception – papering over by the Orbàn, or similar regimes, eg. how do you tell a Hu minister that he’s lying in your face about the supposed tenders, evaluation committees and control bodies you well know to be Potyomkin fronts gutted out of their substance, led/staffed by… Read more »
No matter who is finally appointed to the head of the EPPO, Orbán will cover his festering chancre of corruption using “suzerainty” as his fig leaf. Business as before. Remember the chorus:
“Just give us the money. It is our’s by right!”
Viktor’s set-up has proven to be bullet-proof.
Interesting post today. Of course, the candidate from Romania would make an excellent choice. I don’t know if her selection would change any thing in Hungary and/or the other post communist countries; however, her selection may send an important message along with removal of Fidesz from the EU People’s Party. Many interesting comments today as well.
Off today’s topic but related to another story on Eva’s blog. The other day Eva posted Observer’s excellent essay about Bige Holding Ltd fertilizer plants in Hungary and a likely take over attempt by Fidesz oligarchs. I noted in passing that “the truth is Hungary is used as a depository for dangerous and high pollution industries” for many years going back to communist days. The reality of that passing comment that is based on discussions I have had over the years with Hungarian environmental activists and is evident by this 24hu story appearing yesterday at https://24.hu/fn/gazdasag/2019/07/15/szennyviziszap-horvatorszag-szekesfehervar/ . For Eva’s readers who do not read Hungarian the 24hu story is about a company, Fehérvári Téglaipari Kft., operating a sewage sludge reprocessing operation in Székesfehérvár, using the Gombócleső Hill mine pit. But legally it is not considered a landfill. I guess what is stunning about this story is that much of the sludge comes from Croatia, in fact the article indicates that the mine may be storing half of the sludge of Croatia. The article has an interview with a soil scientist, Sándor Horváth, who is 72 years old, and works for Fehérvári Téglaipari Kft. It seems very ecologically sound to reprocess… Read more »
Re: Louisiana..
Great state and the polluters of ‘interests’ ruined parts of it making areas inhabitable. Even insects took the first flight out.
There’s alot of irony in how Magyarorszag treats its ‘sacred’ lands by letting itself be used as a ‘depository for dangerous and high pollution industries’. Strange happenings from those who say they dearly revere the ‘homeland’ and would protect it to the death. One would think there would be a step up coming after seeing caretaker communists treating the Magyar environment as simply holding places for Stalin statues.
Now if you revere the entire homeland, your spiritual and physical domicile, you would protect it from poisons. Obviously as the above pic shows some things become more important. Same old same old. Since the post-war it seems to be the Magyar way , the truth and the life.
Pollution, the cavalier handling of dangerous waste and Hungary belong together – in socialist times as well as in Fidesz times!
Two more examples:
Maybe you remember the “Red sludge” that destroyed the village of Devecser and killed a lot of animals.
On a similar level I remember the story of a friend of my wife whose husband died from intestine cancer – and he wasn’t the first in that village near Tapolca. After he was diagnosed the local doc asked all men to submit to an investigation because he realised the reason for those cases:
They had all drunk water from their wells which were kind of flooded with the poison from the Bauxit/Aluminum factory near Tapolca.
Luckily the village had later installed a water supply so younger people weren’t in danger – unless they used the water from the wells in their gardens to save money.
I read that Inge Gräßle works for Laura Codruţa-Kövesi. She says it’s a slap in the face when the Romanian government prevents Ms. Kövesi from being chosen because of false accusation .
She says “If Jean-Francois Bohnert is a man of honor, he must now withdraw his candidacy,” she told the SPIEGEL. “The man can not become the first European prosecutor on Kövesi’s ashes.” “
Bohnert already announced that he resents that people try to pressure him with this “man of honor” stuff.
… with this “man of honor” stuff. Oh yes, I understand what is worthy “man of honor” stuff? Looks like nothing …
A final decision has been postponed until a new European Parliament is elected.
“Assurances that France’s Jean-François Bohnert remains in contention to become Europe’s chief prosecutor was given further weight after he said had not withdrawn his candidacy, which would have left Romania’s former chief prosecutor, Laura Codruta Kövesi, as the lone candidate to lead the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).
The French spokesperson of the Permanent Representation to the EU confirmed that Bohnert will continue to campaign to become Europe’s top law enforcement official, particularly after he won the trust of the European Parliament during the last term.
The two institutions are still not on track to reach an agreement on who should be the chief prosecutor. A final decision has been postponed until a new European Parliament is elected.”
https://www.neweurope.eu/article/bohnert-remains-in-eppo-race-despite-reports-confirming-kovesi-as-the-sole-candidate/
If Macron really wants to have Jean-François Bohnert as chief prosecutor, a man who does not give anything on man of honor, then I wonder if Marcron is afraid of Laura Codruţa-Kövesi … has Marcron a corpse in the cellar.
Well Marcon was an investment banker at Rothschild & Cie Banque. So that is always real possibility. But even if she got the job, really how far could she look? I mean laws were passed in the EU that allowed a tax shelter like Malta to function and billions in Russian oligarchs money found its way into the EU which through many banks washed the money. Would she really open those doors? Or would she deal with things going forward?
There are investigatory limits even for aggressive officials who are honest.
Laura Codruţa-Kövesi seems to be much courageous than Jean-François Bohnert. What she can achieve that we can not know but she will not be afraid to investigate in France. I’m not so sure about Jean-François.
Stop! Malta is competing as EU rules want to, so nothing to do for any prosecutor, because it is legal within European and Maltese rules. Where rules are abused by politicians, parties, companies or even entire governments: take everybody to court.
Our dear host will probably discuss this tomorrow – Ursula vdL was elected, but with a majority of around 10 votes only.
The election was secret – any ideas who voted for her/against her besides the usual suspects?
Some German politician wrote about her speech:
She made many wonderful promises.
Now we’ll see what can be done …
PS:
In her speech she mentioned the “trenches between Central and Eastern Europe” – seems she doesn’t consider the V4 countries as part of Central Europe as they like to claim, just like me and many other “Leftists”/greens etc.
I am not happy: 1st it is against the promises to suggest a candidate to parliament that got the majority of parliament and was a candidate for the job. Von Der Leyen was a candidate who brought herself into serious trouble in her former office. Is any European top job thought to be the next career step for failed politicians?
Positive: there won’t be another crises within the EU. She is for Hungary 10 times better than Weber ever might have been. If she does 10% of her promises we will better off compared to Juncker, although he also was and is a convinced European, but without any chance against the enemies of Europe in the council. It is time to make serious work from the Art 7 procedure. The very first action Von Der Leyen has to take after she will be inaugurated in November.
I just heard how Van Storch (AdD) attacked Von Der Leyen (CDU) for her “extremely left agenda”. Fascists are reacting like that against democrats from the middle of the society. Perhaps Von Der Leyen might be better than I thought.
Well, the votes of Fidesz were necessary for her to get elected.
I guess she will be remembered by the Viktor if necessary.
And being attacked by Van Storck does not necessarily mean she is better than thought.
I’m not so sure about those votes.
Me neither, but they brag with it. https://magyarnemzet.hu/kulfold/megvalasztottak-ursula-von-der-leyent-az-eb-uj-elnokenek-7126415/
Jan
They sure will now, but what happens if vdL comes hard on them, how are they going to communicate that the one “they put in the position” is against them?
You can comment election results in many ways. From respecting the vote as being democratic, although you voted against, to a full blown attack. If a conservative is attacked like this yesterday, the extreme right fears her. Hopefully their fear will turn into real steps against extremism. No warrenty given about that, but a chance. So I wrote “perhaps” and “might”.
You know one of my favourites re these fascists:
Everybody is a leftist because to the right of us is only the wall.
VdL represents the liberal wing of the CDU – not all people there are Christian Fascists like Weber who want a cross in every office, are against same sex relations and feel that women should know their place!
We’ll just have to wait …
“congratulations”
Ferenc, against those congratulations you can’t do anything. EPP should throw out Berlusconi, a man who wouldn’t be allowed to do my job as a convicted criminal. In this meaning he should not even be allowed to enter any parliament except of being spectator only.
yeah, “should throw out”, but still not done,
same with the 3rd in line for the “congratulations”
PS: I think UvdL’s views and opinions are quite OK, but I don’t see a real leader in her… imho she’ll heavily depend on her Commission team…
note: she has 7 children, so Usi bring on the Art.7 procedures! Fast and strict!
Quite right. That is her job an president of the Commission. The EU is not like any one of its member states. She is, fortunately from the mainstream. The German mainstream. It give me much comfort to note this. She has a massive job ahead. I wish her well.
Re BIGE’s chem plant in Szolnok cannot resume production after all, because the KV authority appealed the court ruling against them.
You can see why the Orbàn mafia is pushing the Admin Court system, which will take over all cases involving the state from the pesky and disobedient civil courts.
Snippets from Orbanistan:
– 100 K Huns were officially working in Austria last month, no estimate of the unregistered ones was offered. Admittedly this is in the top season of temporary employment in the tourist and agricultural industries.
– There’s labour shortage in ALL government systems now, the latest figures were about MÀV (state railways) and BKV (the Budapest transport co). The situation in latter two will worsen significantly in the near term as scores are due for retirement.
– A.Hadnàzi, the brave anti corruption fighter, revealed the next scandalous case where huf 500 million ($ 1.8 million) was paid for the building of a military logistical point in Szerencs funded by the EU. Upon visiting the site he found bush, trees and a couple of beehives.
Yes, it’s difficult for companies to get qualified workers – my wife’s son just told us that he’s thinking about closing down. Many of the people he gets are analphabets almost, not able to read and understand instructions …
And re fake offices he told us a similar story:
Some people were asked to move to an empty house, bring their computers and lots of paper etc so the visiting committee got the impression of a hard working team at a facility which just doesn’t exist in reality!
I’m not sure if you are disconnected from reality or badly intentioned.
Kovesi is
– a criminal (kidnapped Popa from în Indonesia for political ends, endorsed prosecutors’ fake evidence cases against politicians, again for her image as a crime fighter or to support other politicians) ,
– an incompetent (was fired from office by the Minister of Justice based on a long list of fails, culminating with her breaking the Constitution),
– a liar (lied in the EU commission when asked about having the highest professional level of her country, lied about her current indictments, lied on live TV about a ruling against her saying it was for her, lied on record – she is currently accused of perjury – about going home to certain politicians).
Despite all of this, I will be happier if she gets the Intergalactic Prosecutor’s office. I’ll just grab my popcorn, sit back and enjoy the spectacle.
She really is that much of a disaster, and all of you supporting her deserve the masquerade we endured for ten years.
Cheers
Ps: I can elaborate on my statements if you wish
wishfull thinking …