Transparency Wins: EU Told to Hand Over Vaccine Negotiation Texts

In a significant legal development, the European Union’s General Court has ruled that the European Commission was wrong to deny the release of text messages between its President, Ursula von der Leyen, and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. The messages pertain to negotiations for securing COVID-19 vaccines in 2021, a period marked by the EU’s efforts to procure billions of euros worth of vaccine doses from Pfizer.

The case, dubbed “Pfizergate,” began when investigative journalist Alexander Fanta requested the release of these communications under EU transparency laws. The Commission initially refused, citing that the messages were not considered public documents. However, the court found that the Commission failed to provide a plausible explanation for withholding the texts and emphasized the importance of transparency in such significant matters.

Anti-corruption organizations, including Transparency International, have lauded the court’s decision as a “landmark victory for transparency in the EU.” They argue that the ruling should prompt a reevaluation of the EU’s approach to freedom of information, especially concerning high-level negotiations that impact public health and finances.

The European Commission has stated that it will carefully consider the court’s ruling and determine its next steps. While it maintains that transparency is a priority, the case raises ongoing questions about the accessibility of communications between EU officials and private entities during critical negotiations.