On 14 May, the Court of Justice of the European Union will announce a decision on the disclosure of text messages between Ursula von der Leyen and the head of Pfizer Albert Bourla. The issue, baptized by the media as ‘Pfizergate’, may have serious consequences not only legal but besides political consequences, especially for the president of the European Commission.
What is it about Pfizergate?
Exchange Text messages between the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the Director-General of Pfizer Albert Bourla, which occurred during the negotiations on the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines. Their culmination was the May 2021 contract for 900 million doses, with an option for another 900 million – the biggest acquisition of vaccines in the past of the European Union.
April 2021 The fresh York Times has revealed the existence of these messages and has formally requested the European Commission to make them available. The Commission refused to consider SMS to be ‘unimportant’ and stated that not officially archived. In response, the paper filed a suit with the EU Court of Justice, demanding transparency in the activities of the EU institutions.
A alternatively symbolic judgment, but political effects can be real
According to sources cited, among others, by Politico, Judgment of the Court of Justice will be mainly symbolic, due to the fact that the order for disclosure is not foreseen. The Commission will most likely only be required to the cost of legal proceedings, which will not formally change the legal situation, but may affect public reception.
Lack of transparency and the way in which negotiations with pharmaceutical companies were conducted have become a major allegation against the European Commission. Analysts note that even a seemingly insignificant ruling in this case may harm reputation Ursuli von der Leyenwho is considering a start in the next word for the position of Head of the EC.
Transparency
Previous investigations — including the COVID Commission of the European Parliament — did not lead to formal sanctions To von der Leyen. It was besides not required to disclose the contents of the message. What's more, Albert Bourla didn't show up for questioning. before the MEPs.
However, during 1 of the parliamentary broadcasts in November 2023 1 of the Commission officials confirmed the existence of text messages, calling them ‘working notes’, which are not officially stored in accordance with the applicable provisions.
Corporate profits, public costs
The question of texting is just the tip of the iceberg. A survey commissioned by the European Parliament by Prof. Massimo Florio of the University of Milan showed that in years 2021–2022 global profits of the pharmaceutical manufacture reached $90 billionof which 35 billion to Pfizer. Simultaneously most investment risks - Okay. $30 billion – was borne by the governments of the associate States, not private companies (which invested around 16 billion).
In previously made available papers concerning vaccine contracts key information has been ignored respective times, including details of prices, transportation conditions or liability for side effects. As a consequence the work for possible side effects has been passed on to the associate States, which has provoked criticism of "socialisation of losses and privatisation of profits".
Negotiation procedures and wasted doses
The negotiations conducted by Ursula von der Leyen were different – they were held directly through text messages, but for formal negotiated procedures. The consequence was a contract. too many doses, which led to the request to renegotiate the conditions in 2023 and sign Annex amending the transportation schedule.
This action, though not unprecedented in a crisis, raises doubts about the efficiency and transparency of public funds management in emergency situations.
Another controversy around von der Leyen
A fewer days before the expected ruling of the EUSEU, the president of the European Commission was one more time in the heat of criticism – this time for private aircraft on the way from Brussels to Luxembourg (about 50 km). As she explained, the decision was dictated by the request to participate rapidly in an crucial event. Nevertheless, This event sparked another wave of comments on the governance kind and sense of work of EU leaders.
The decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union, although improbable to resolve the substance of SMS, falls within the broader context of expectations of transparency and accountability of the European institutions. For Ursula von der Leyen, whose word of office is coming to an end, this could be a crucial minute in the fight for a political future.
Continued here:
The TEU will decide on Pfizergate. Secret texts, billions of contracts and the shadow of a pandemic
