On discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office for the financial year 2023
LIBE-AD-765282
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs · Rapporteur: Tomáš Zdechovský
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The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs opinion on the 2023 budget discharge for the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) notes its doubled caseload and welcomes its activities, while calling for more funding and staff.¶¶ It stresses the need for a holistic approach to crime, asset recovery, wider EPPO membership, judicial independence, and enhanced cooperation with OLAF.¶¶¶
Committee position. The committee suggests that the lead committee incorporate these points into its motion for a resolution, endorsing the EPPO's work and calling for increased resources and mandate expansion.¶
Key points
- Notes that EPPO's caseload almost doubled in 2023, with up to 1,927 active investigations, 139 indictments, 339 VAT-related cases, and over 200 investigations on NextGenerationEU.¶
- Welcomes the 2023 budget increase to EUR 64.6 million and an 11% staff increase, but regrets that the Commission's 2025 budget proposal and Council's stance fall short; calls for dedicated funding in the next MFF.¶
- Calls for a holistic approach to white-collar and conventional crime, and for the Commission to analyse extending EPPO's mandate and present a legislative proposal.¶
- Underlines asset recovery's role, welcomes EPPO's participation in international networks, and asks the Commission to invite EPPO to the new cooperation network on asset recovery.¶
- Calls on remaining Member States to join EPPO or be denied indirect EU fund management; asks the Commission to monitor cooperation and continue dialogue with non-participating states.¶
- Welcomes the appointment of 8 new European Prosecutors and 35 new Delegated Prosecutors; stresses the need for full judicial independence through merit-based appointments.¶
- Encourages enhanced EPPO-OLAF cooperation, including OLAF's obligation to report suspicions without delay, and supports joint initiatives and information sharing.¶
Who is affected
- The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and its staff, who would receive more funding and resources.¶
- Member States not participating in EPPO, which could be denied the possibility to manage EU funds indirectly.¶
- The Commission, which is called on to monitor cooperation, invite EPPO to networks, and propose mandate extensions.¶¶
- OLAF, which is encouraged to cooperate more closely with EPPO.¶
Figures and deadlines
- 1,927 active investigations in 2023¶
- 139 indictments, 339 VAT-related cases, over 200 NextGenerationEU investigations
- EUR 64.6 million total budget for 2023¶
- 11% increase in staff in 2023
- Cases increased by 70% and investigations by 58% from 2022 to 2023
- €1.5 billion seized in 2023
- 24 Member States participate in EPPO¶
- 8 new European Prosecutors and 35 new Delegated Prosecutors appointed in 2023¶