Brezigar, 41, was one of the three candidates nominated for the position by the Slovenian government last year, along with prosecutors Tanja Frank Eler and Marjana Grašič.

A special selection panel then drew up reasoned opinions and ranking for each of the nominated candidates who met the conditions.

After having received the reasoned opinions, the Council selected and appointed one of the candidates to be the European prosecutor for each of the participating member states, the Council announced today.

A district state prosecutor, Brezigar has been employed with the specialised prosecution service, at the department prosecuting corporate crime and corruption.

He has been serving as a prosecutor since 2010, the last six years with the specialised prosecution service. He has been working on the prosecution of the toughest forms of corporate crime and corruption.

During his time with the special service, he has specialised on the prosecution of banking crime, after he specialised on tax evasion while working with the Ljubljana District Prosecution, the Supreme State Prosecution service said in a press release.

Most of the European prosecutors, including Brezigar, were appointed for a non-renewable term of six years which the Council, which may extend for a maximum of three years.

As part of the transitional rules for the first mandate following the creation of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), the European prosecutors from one third of the member states, determined by drawing lots, will hold three year non-renewable terms.

The EPPO will be an independent body of the EU responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgement crimes against the financial interests of the Union.

Based in in Luxembourg, it is expected to start its operation at the end of 2020.

The prosecutors will supervise investigations and prosecutions and will constitute the EPPO College, together with the European Chief Prosecutor Laura Codruta Kövesi of Romania.