Romania’s formidable ex-anti-corruption chief prosecutor has squashed speculation that she will run for president.
Laura Codruta Kovesi, who now heads the EU’s financial crime watchdog made her comments in an interview in Moldova.
„No, I do not want to run for president of Romania,” Laura Codruța Kovesi, head of the EPPO said in the interview with Radio Free Europe Moldova on Wednesday, addressing ongoing speculation and the results of an opinion poll.
„To be even clearer, my reply is: ‘Nu’, ‘No’, ‘Nein’,’Nie’ and if I practice with my colleagues it at the EPPO, I’ll be able to say ‘no’ in all 17 languages that are officially spoken there,” she joked.
She was asked the question during a three-day visit to Chisinau this week where she met senior officials and anti-corruption chiefs.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu asked her for help in pursuing corruption suspects who fled to Europe, including confiscating assets and property they hold in the in the EU.
In the interview, Ms Kovesi explained that as European Chief Prosecutor how her goal was to build an institution „from scratch.”
“I want to build a powerful, independent European institution which protects the EU budget better. When my mandate ends I will have a unique knowledge; I will know the justice system in 22 European countries,” she added.
According to a recent opinion poll, Romanians expect Ms Kovesi to face Mircea Geoana, NATO deputy Secretary-General, in a runoff in 2024 presidential elections.
During her visit to Moldova, the Prosecutor-General’s Office and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office signed a cooperation agreement.
