On November 15, the European Court of Justice will hold a significant trial about Ursula Von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission. The case revolves around her actions during the Covid-19 pandemic, specifically related to how the EU bought vaccines. The Financial Times reports that a panel of 15 judges will investigate whether Von der Leyen illegally kept private text messages hidden. These messages are believed to have been exchanged with Albert Bourla, the CEO of Pfizer.
During the pandemic, Von der Leyen played a crucial role in organizing the EU’s strategy to buy billions of vaccine doses and distribute them to member countries. In 2020 and 2021, the European Commission struck deals worth about €2.7 billion ($2.95 billion) with various vaccine manufacturers.
However, many critics argue that the negotiations for these vaccine deals were not transparent enough. They claim that Von der Leyen’s handling of the situation raises serious questions about accountability.
The Financial Times noted that this case is important, as it will be reviewed by the EU court’s Grand Chamber, which typically deals with significant and complex legal matters.
This trial comes after the New York Times filed a lawsuit against the European Commission in January 2023. The newspaper had requested Von der Leyen’s private text messages as part of a freedom of information request. However, the Commission stated that it did not have these messages. Interestingly, Bourla confirmed that he and Von der Leyen had exchanged private texts, in which she mentioned being personally involved in negotiating vaccine contracts.
Despite this, Von der Leyen claimed that she had deleted most of these messages, raising further concerns about what really happened during those crucial negotiations.
As the trial approaches, the EU court is expected to question the Commission’s representatives about the existence of the messages and why they may have been destroyed. The stakes are high, and many are eager to see how this case unfolds.
Adding to the intrigue, the EU’s general court had previously ruled that the Commission had kept important details about multibillion-euro vaccine deals with Pfizer and AstraZeneca secret without a valid reason. In 2021, some Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) had requested access to these documents to ensure the public’s interests were protected. However, the Commission only provided a redacted version, refusing to reveal the identities of those involved in the negotiations, leading lawmakers to take legal action.
With the trial date set, all eyes will be on Von der Leyen and the European Commission as they prepare to face tough questions about their actions during a time of crisis. The outcome could have significant implications for the future of EU governance and accountability in vaccine procurement.
