EU Commission Declines to Challenge Court Ruling on Vaccine Texts
The European Commission has decided not to appeal a ruling by the EU’s General Court that determined it improperly withheld documents related to vaccine negotiations. This decision marks a significant moment in ongoing transparency debates within the EU and has sparked criticism from transparency advocates, who argue it highlights a broader issue of accountability within the Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen, reports 24brussels.
In May, the General Court ruled that the Commission violated transparency protocols by not releasing the texts concerning the negotiations for the procurement of vaccines. This ruling caught public attention, particularly as it is part of a larger inquiry into the vaccine agreements established during the pandemic. The court’s decision has prompted expectations for the release of these significant documents.
The controversy surrounding the vaccine contracts intensified when it was revealed that von der Leyen’s mobile phone had undergone multiple replacements throughout the negotiation process, with none of the data being transferred to new devices. This raised further questions about the preservation of critical communication linked to the procurement and distribution of vaccines.
At the start of July, von der Leyen survived a no-confidence vote initiated by Romanian MEP Gheorghe Piperea over the handling of the vaccine contracts. The vote, which highlighted the discontent among certain EU lawmakers regarding transparency levels, ultimately did not succeed, underscoring von der Leyen’s political position despite ongoing scrutiny.
The situation remains complex, as the case continues to attract attention from both aspects of the political spectrum, including opponents who questioned the vaccine’s efficacy and advocates calling for greater accountability in governmental actions. The fallout from these proceedings may influence future decisions regarding transparency and accountability of EU institutions.
