The European Commission has launched appeals against two court rulings that would have required greater transparency regarding the multi-billion euro COVID-19 vaccine contracts negotiated under Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s leadership. This move has sparked outrage among opposition members in the European Parliament.
Legal Battle Over Vaccine Contract Transparency
The EU’s General Court had previously ruled that the Commission violated EU law by withholding information about the vaccine contracts. The court specifically highlighted concerns about potential conflicts of interest and compensation arrangements with vaccine manufacturers, stating that Brussels had “failed to provide sufficiently comprehensive access to COVID-19 vaccine purchase contracts.”
Commission’s Response to Parliamentary Inquiry
When questioned by BSW representative Fabio De Masi about the implementation of the court’s ruling and the timeline for document release, Commission Vice President Vera Jourová revealed that the Commission had filed appeals in late September. The appeals seek to partially overturn decisions requiring public access to unredacted versions of the vaccine contracts and declarations of no conflict of interest signed by EU and member state representatives involved in the negotiations.
Parliamentary Opposition and Criticism
Opposition members have expressed strong criticism of the Commission’s stance. De Masi argued that Parliament showed a lack of self-respect by confirming von der Leyen’s position before receiving the Pfizer deal documentation that the EU Court ruled they were illegally denied access to. Martin Sonneborn, representing Die Partei, noted that the Commission’s decision to appeal just before commissioner hearings demonstrates “impressive contempt” for elected parliamentarians.
Background of the Vaccine Procurement
During the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the Commission negotiated contracts for hundreds of millions of vaccine doses on behalf of member states. Particular scrutiny has fallen on von der Leyen’s text message negotiations with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. These messages remain confidential, and their current status is unclear.
Broader Implications for EU Governance
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is currently investigating the matter. Previous attempts to gain clarity through official channels, including requests from the EU Ombudsman, were unsuccessful. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between EU institutional transparency and executive discretion.
Political Context and Power Dynamics
The European People’s Party (EPP), the largest faction in the EU Parliament, originally elevated von der Leyen to the Commission presidency. While some Green and Left party members have demanded transparency following the court ruling, significant institutional change appears unlikely given the current political alignment.
Additional Challenges for the EPP
The situation is further complicated by separate investigations into the EPP. According to Politico, the EU Public Prosecutor’s Office is examining allegations of fraud and corruption related to the 2019 European election campaign of Manfred Weber, the EPP’s parliamentary group chair. The EPP maintains it has not been contacted by any investigative authorities and emphasizes its commitment to financial transparency and compliance.
The implications of these developments extend beyond the immediate issue of vaccine contract transparency, raising fundamental questions about accountability and oversight in EU governance structures. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office’s ability to conduct independent investigations may be constrained by its financial dependence on the Commission, potentially limiting effective oversight of EU institutions.
