‘Pfizergate’ verdict: EU Commission wrong to block access to von der Leyen’s secret texts

BRUSSELS ― The European Commission was wrong to refuse the release of Ursula von der Leyen’s text messages with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, an EU court has found.

Reporters had asked to see the secret messages between the Commission president and the drug company boss, which they exchanged ahead of a multibillion euro vaccine deal agreed between Pfizer and the EU.

The judgment is likely to have huge repercussions for transparency and accountability in the EU and delivers a massive blow to von der Leyen’s reputation.