Council Decision (EU) 2026/2244

Contents

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 of 12 October 2017 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (‘the EPPO’)^note, and in particular Article 16 thereof,Having regard to Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1696 of 13 July 2018 on the operating rules of the selection panel provided for in Article 14(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 implementing enhanced cooperation on the establishment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (‘the EPPO’)^note,Having regard to Council Decision (EU) 2023/133 of 17 January 2023 appointing the members of the selection panel provided for in Article 14(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1939^note,Having regard to the reasoned opinions and the ranking of the candidates drawn up by the selection panel,Whereas:

(1)The EPPO was established by Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.

(2)The European Prosecutors are to supervise investigations and prosecutions in accordance with Article 12 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1939.

(3)By means of Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/1117^note, Mr Jaka BREZIGAR and Mr Andrés RITTER were appointed as European Prosecutors of the EPPO for a non-renewable period of 6 years until 28 July 2026, having been nominated by Slovenia and Germany, respectively.

(4)By means of Council Decision (EU) 2024/1751^note, the mandate of Mr Andrés RITTER as European Prosecutor was extended for a period of 3 years until 30 June 2029.

(5)By means of Decision (EU) 2026/800 of the European Parliament and of the Council^note, Mr Andrés RITTER was appointed European Chief Prosecutor of the EPPO for a non-renewable period of 7 years from 1 November 2026.

(6)To ensure the continuity of functioning of the EPPO College, which consists of the European Chief Prosecutor and one European Prosecutor per participating Member State, it is necessary for the Council to appoint a European Prosecutor for the two positions that are or will become vacant.

(7)Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1696 lays down the operating rules of the selection panel provided for in Article 14(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 (the ‘operating rules of the selection panel’).

(8)Pursuant to Article 16(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, each participating Member State is to nominate three candidates for the position of European Prosecutor from among candidates who are active members of the public prosecution service or judiciary of the relevant Member State, whose independence is beyond doubt and who possess the qualifications required for appointment to high prosecutorial or judicial office in their respective Member States, and who have relevant practical experience of national legal systems, of financial investigations and of international judicial cooperation in criminal matters.

(9)Slovenia and Germany have each nominated three candidates for the position of European Prosecutor.

(10)For each of the two positions, the selection panel drew up a reasoned opinion and the ranking for each of the candidates who fulfilled the conditions set out in Article 16(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1939 and submitted them to the Council, which received them on 22 July 2026 for candidates nominated by Slovenia and on 30 July 2026 for candidates nominated by Germany.

(11)Pursuant to the Rule VII.2, fourth paragraph, of the operating rules of the selection panel, the selection panel ranked the candidates for the position according to their qualifications and experience. The ranking indicates the selection panel’s order of preference and is not binding on the Council.

(12)Pursuant to Article 16(2) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, after having received the reasoned opinion of the selection panel, the Council is to select and appoint one of the candidates to be the European Prosecutor of the participating Member State in question.

(13)Pursuant to Article 16(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1939, the Council, acting by simple majority, is to select and appoint the European Prosecutors for a non-renewable term of 6 years.

(14)The Council assessed the respective merits of the candidates, taking into account the reasoned opinions submitted by the selection panel for each of the two positions.

(15)On the basis of an assessment of the respective merits of the candidates, the Council followed the non-binding order of preference indicated by the selection panel in each of the reasoned opinions for the candidates nominated by Slovenia and Germany,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Council Decision (EU) 2026/2244

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