2019 WINNER

Laura Codruța Kövesi

European Chief Prosecutor, European Public Prosecutor's Office

Laura Codruța Kövesi made history both as the youngest and as the first woman prosecutor general in Romania when she was appointed to the position in 2006 at the age of 33. She subsequently became the head of the Romanian Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) in 2013. Under her leadership, the DNA made notable progress against high-level corruption in Romania. Kövesi made headlines last year when she was forcibly dismissed from her position by the Romanian government, which actively lobbied against her. The reason? She was involved in the investigations of multiple Romanian politicians, all suspected of corruption in the country. She continues to be a favorite among the leaders of the European Parliament, despite the Romanian government's opposition. Kövesi is poised to become the first-ever chief EU public prosecutor in the new European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), which is set to start operating in 2020.