Overview
- Lawmakers approved Ritter’s appointment by 435 votes to 112, with 46 abstentions in Strasbourg.
- He will take office on 1 November, succeeding Laura Kövesi when her seven‑year term ends in late October.
- EUStA reported about 3,602 active cases at the end of 2025 with an estimated €67 billion in damage, including roughly €45 billion tied to customs and VAT fraud.
- Ritter describes VAT carousel schemes as more profitable than drug trafficking with a far lower risk of detection and punishment.
- The independent EU office investigates crimes affecting the Union’s finances across participating member states, and cases linked to COVID‑relief funds have surged year over year.