German police official Jürgen Ebner selected to lead Europol

German police official Jürgen Ebner has been chosen by EU ambassadors to become the next executive director of Europol, the European Union’s law‑enforcement agency headquartered in The Hague. The Council vote on Wednesday selected the German from a three‑person shortlist after intense negotiations among member states. Ebner, who has been serving as deputy executive director for governance and has acted as executive director since Catherine De Bolle’s term ended in May, will now appear before the European Parliament’s civil‑liberties committee before the Council formally appoints him.

Ebner’s appointment signals a preference for continuity within Europol at a time when the agency is poised for a major expansion. The European Commission has recently proposed broadening Europol’s mandate, boosting its resources and enhancing its technological capabilities to better tackle organized crime, cyber‑attacks and hybrid threats. By selecting a long‑time insider who has overseen legal, institutional and security matters, member states appear to favour a steady hand capable of implementing the Commission’s ambitious reforms without disrupting ongoing operations.

The German’s career spans more than three decades, beginning with the German police in 1988, followed by senior roles at the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and a stint in the president’s office before moving to Europol in November 2019. He defeated Spain’s Alicia Malo, head of international cooperation at the national police, and Lithuania’s Linas Pernavas, director of the anti‑corruption agency, in the selection process. If confirmed, Ebner will lead Europol through its planned transformation, influencing how the EU coordinates cross‑border policing and responds to emerging security challenges across the bloc.

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