European Public Prosecutor’s Office: the tension between supranationalism, sovereignty and legitimacy

This blog offers a critical analysis of the evolution, structure and functioning of the EPPO on the basis of three theoretical frameworks: the theory of supranationalism, the concept of sovereignty and the critical approach of legitimacy. The first part of the analysis accounts for the current design of the EPPO along the supranational-intergovernmental spectrum based on the general literature on EU law and integration. Secondly, the analysis proceeds to examine the governance of the EPPO in attempting to ascertain the extent to which Member States have been capable of maintaining control of its operation. Finally, we consider the EPPO from the perspective of legitimacy, with a specific focus on judicial review of the EPPO’s activities.