iRozhlas.cz | Pfizergate: Transparency or Privacy Protection?

Recent investigation into the purchase of Pfizer vaccines by the EU has revealed the involvement of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, raising questions about transparency and accountability. With the interconnection of several cases, including allegations of undisclosed agreements and legal actions, attention to negotiation processes and financial management within the Commission is increasing. The outcomes of these investigations may influence public trust and future leadership of the EU, highlighting the delicate balance between transparency and privacy protection. Žiga Faktor, Deputy Director and Head of the Brussels Office of the EUROPEUM Institute, offered a commentary for iRozhlas.cz.

These are three separate cases that have begun to merge into one and intertwine. The first one was initiated by The New York Times regarding the European Commission's failure to provide all documents related to negotiations with Pfizer. (...) Then there's also a lawsuit in a Belgian court filed by a Belgian lobbyist. However, this case concerns more the handling of public resources rather than access to information. (...) Additionally, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) began investigating at the end of 2022 how the European Commission conducted vaccine purchases.

You can read the whole interview here.

Žiga Faktor
Deputy Director & Head of Brussels Office

Expertise: European integration of Western Balkans, EU enlargement, Slovenian Politics and EU-Turkey relations