Leading European Union lawmakers have endorsed the appointment of former Romanian anti-corruption official Laura Codruta Koevesi as the bloc’s first anti-fraud prosecutor.
Following her confirmation on October 16 by the Conference of Presidents, which includes European Parliament President David Sassoli and political group leaders, Koevesi can start her seven-year mandate at the helm of the new European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).
The move follows a deal in September between negotiators from parliament and the European Council on the new European chief prosecutor.
The council endorsed the agreement earlier this week.
So far, 22 EU member states have joined the EPPO, which aims to investigate suspected fraud involving the bloc’s budget.
The EPPO is expected to be up and running by the end of 2020. It will be based in Luxembourg and be composed of a panel of prosecutors from the participating countries.
Koevesi ran Romania's anti-corruption agency until she was dismissed last year by the leftist government for alleged abuse of power.
Critics say her dismissal was prompted by her prosecuting and indicting a record number of ministers, politicians, and other officials on corruption charges in one of the bloc's most corrupt countries.
Romania's Koevesi Confirmed As EU Top Prosecutor
Laura Codruta Koevesi speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in Bucharest on October 4.