‘The potential implications of the changes are wide-ranging and their hasty adoption, which leaves no meaningful opportunity for proper scrutiny or debate, appears to be contrary to the principle of sincere cooperation in protecting the EU’s financial interests in Greece,’ Kövesi stated.
The provision submitted by Floridis concerns the acceleration of criminal trials involving MPs and, according to Kövesi, may seek to exclude the competent European Delegated Prosecutors from the relevant procedures.
In her letter, she stated: ‘The European Public Prosecutor’s Office has taken note of the intention of the Greek authorities to amend the national Criminal Code with a view to introducing a special procedure to deal with criminal offences allegedly committed by Members of Parliament.
‘Based on what we know about the envisaged legislative change, we are particularly concerned about the speed of the legislative process. The potential implications of the changes are wide-ranging and their hasty adoption, which leaves no meaningful opportunity for proper scrutiny or debate, appears to be contrary to the principle of sincere cooperation in protecting the EU’s financial interests in Greece.’
SYRIZA MEP and vice-president of The Left in the European Parliament Kostas Arvanitis commented that ‘last night’s amendment by the Minister of Justice to accelerate the trial of criminal cases involving MPs is a direct attack on the European Public Prosecutor’s Office’.
‘The government, having already crossed every line with the verbal attacks by its officials against the European institution and its head, is now also attacking it legislatively through fast-track procedures,’ he added.
Arvanitis also recalled that ‘the European Parliament, through the Rule of Law Report that it voted in favour of by a broad majority in recent days, including with the votes of New Democracy MEPs, calls for the strengthening and protection of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. In Athens, the New Democracy government is continuing the Orbanisation of the country and its marginalisation from the European core of law and democracy.’
‘Should we expect a new statement from Commissioner McGrath about rapid progress on the rule of law in Greece?’ he asked pointedly.
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