Criminal Complaint Adds to Ursula von der Leyen’s Pfizer Text Woes

The lodging of a criminal complaint against European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen follows the European Public Prosecutor’s Office opening an investigation into the European Union’s COVID-19 vaccine purchases.

Even prior to this development, however, the European Ombudsman had already charged the Commission – Europe’s executive body – with maladministration, for failing to search for crucial text messages between von der Leyen and Albert Bourla, CEO of drug and vaccine manufacturer Pfizer. The European Court of Auditors has similarly accused the Commission of refusing to release details of how Europe’s massive COVID-19 vaccine contract with Pfizer was negotiated.

Notably, therefore – seemingly in a desperate attempt to prevent the facts from emerging – the top ranks of the European Parliament have blocked a public cross-examination of von der Leyen over her role in negotiating the deal with Pfizer. Instead, any questioning that does take place will now be conducted behind closed doors.

To learn how the ‘Qatargate’ scandal could potentially signal the beginning of the end for the so-called ‘European Union,’ see this article on our website.