Europol powers spark fears of creeping federal authority

The proposed bill, the third such legislative expansion in six years, introduces a mechanism in Article 11 that permits Europol executives to formally demand that states initiate criminal inquiries. While national governments retain the final say, they are now required to prioritize these requests and provide a formal, time-bound explanation if they choose to decline.

German MEP Birgit Sippel challenged the Commissioner during a hearing, questioning whether this mandate serves as a precursor to the agency assuming direct investigative control. She highlighted the ambiguity surrounding cases where Europol deems a matter urgent but a member state refuses to act. Brunner dismissed these concerns as premature, insisting the agency lacks independent investigative competence, yet he offered no concrete framework for resolving potential deadlocks between The Hague and national authorities.