The European Commission has confirmed that texts exchanged between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer’s CEO, which were sought by journalists during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, have been lost. The texts were related to a multibillion-euro vaccine deal between Pfizer and the European Union, raising questions about transparency and accountability within the EU.
What Happened
A recent document sent to The New York Times revealed that in the summer of 2021, von der Leyen’s head of cabinet found the exchanged messages but ultimately decided not to register them formally. The document explained that the messages were considered logistical and short-lived, leading to the conclusion that they did not require formal registration. It was also stated that von der Leyen’s mobile phone had been replaced several times, and the data from those messages was not transferred.
The texts were originally requested by journalists under Freedom of Information laws, but they were not released at the time, sparking controversy. In May, the EU’s lower-tier General Court ruled that the Commission had made an error by not disclosing the texts, and this decision was made public this week. The European Commission confirmed it would not appeal the ruling, allowing the transparency issue to move forward.
Reactions and Concerns
The loss of the texts and the lack of transparency have become a significant point of contention for transparency activists. Many have argued that the incident underscores a lack of accountability within von der Leyen’s Commission, especially as it pertains to significant vaccine deals that affected millions of EU citizens.
In response to the controversy, von der Leyen faced a no-confidence vote in the European Parliament in early July, triggered by Romanian MEP Gheorghe Piperea. However, she successfully defended herself, and the motion was defeated.
What Happens Next
As the European Commission will not contest the General Court’s decision, there is an ongoing discussion about how the loss of these records might affect public trust in the EU’s decision-making processes. While the case has sparked debates among those for and against the vaccine rollout, it also raises broader questions about transparency in public institutions, particularly during a global health crisis.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
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