German takes over leadership of the EU Public Prosecutor's Office

Andrés Ritter has officially taken over as the head of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Luxembourg, starting his seven-year term on November 1, 2026. His appointment was approved by EU member states and the European Parliament earlier this year. Ritter, who began his career as a prosecutor in 1995, previously served as the deputy attorney general in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and led various prosecution offices, including one focused on economic and cybercrime. The EPPO investigates cross-border fraud affecting the EU's financial interests, currently handling a record 3,602 active cases with estimated damages exceeding 67 billion euros, primarily due to customs and VAT fraud.