EditEU court rules against von der Leyen in Pfizer case, exposing her fragility amid mounting challenges
The scandal reinforces criticisms of her centralised and top-down leadership style
The European Union’s General Court delivered a significant blow to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday (14 May), annulling the Commission’s refusal to disclose text messages she exchanged with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla during negotiations for a €35 billion COVID-19 vaccine deal in 2021.
The Luxembourg-based court sided with The New York Times, which sought access to the messages, ruling that the Commission failed to provide credible reasons for withholding them, deeming them official EU documents.
This ruling, dubbed “Pfizergate” by critics, intensifies scrutiny on von der Leyen’s leadership at a time when her political standing is increasingly fragile, compounded by transatlantic tensions, internal EU discontent, and the sidelining of her flagship Green Deal. The decision, which can be appealed to the EU’s Court of Justice, has sparked renewed calls for transparency and accountability, further exposing von der Leyen’s vulnerability as she navigates a turbulent geopolitical and domestic landscape.
A damaging setback for von der Leyen
The court’s ruling marks a personal and institutional defeat for von der Leyen, who has been accused of opaque decision-making since the vaccine negotiations. The New York Times requested messages exchanged between January 2021 and May 2022, a period when von der Leyen personally negotiated the EU’s largest vaccine contract for up to 1.8 billion Pfizer-BioNTech doses.
The Commission initially claimed it did not possess the texts, a stance the court rejected, citing “relevant and consistent evidence” of their existence. Von der Leyen’s assertion that she could not disclose the messages because she no longer had them was deemed implausible, undermining her credibility. The European Commission responded by pledging to study the ruling and provide a “more detailed explanation” in a new decision, emphasising its commitment to transparency. However, the damage to von der Leyen’s reputation is palpable, with the ruling fuelling perceptions of secrecy at a time when trust in EU institutions is critical.
A leader under siege
Von der Leyen’s fragility is starkly evident as this scandal unfolds against a backdrop of mounting challenges. The “Pfizergate” saga reinforces criticisms of her centralised and top-down leadership style, often described as authoritarian by detractors. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office is already investigating the Commission’s vaccine procurement, and a Belgian criminal complaint alleges corruption and destruction of public documents, further eroding her standing.
The court’s decision not only embarrasses von der Leyen but also sets a precedent for how the EU handles digital communications, potentially forcing greater transparency in future dealings. As Greens MEP Tilly Metz noted, “Transparency is not a luxury, it’s a democratic obligation,” highlighting the broader implications for EU governance. For von der Leyen, the ruling is a stark reminder of her vulnerability, as public and political trust wanes amid ongoing scrutiny.
Transatlantic tensions and broader discontent
Adding to von der Leyen’s woes is U.S. President Donald Trump’s reluctance to engage with her directly, signalling a diplomatic snub that underscores her weakened position. Trump, who has prioritised meetings with national leaders over EU officials, recently praised von der Leyen as “fantastic” but emphasized concrete trade outcomes over symbolic visits.
Von der Leyen’s signature policy, the European Green Deal, once heralded as a transformative climate agenda, has been relegated to the back burner, reflecting widespread discontent among various EU circles.
Farmers, industry leaders, and populist movements across member states have criticized the Green Deal’s ambitious targets – such as net-zero emissions by 2050 – as economically burdensome, particularly amid inflation and energy crises. Protests in 2024 by farmers in Poland, France, and the Netherlands highlighted the policy’s unpopularity, forcing the Commission to dilute key measures, including pesticide reduction targets and agricultural emissions rules.
The Green Deal’s retreat, described by critics as a pragmatic necessity but by supporters as a betrayal of climate goals, has alienated both environmentalists and economic stakeholders, leaving von der Leyen with few allies. This policy backslide, coupled with her handling of vaccine contracts, paints a picture of a leader struggling to balance competing interests in a fragmented EU.
A perfect storm of challenges?
Von der Leyen’s leadership is at a crossroads, with “Pfizergate,” Trump’s aloofness, and the Green Deal’s faltering momentum converging to expose her political fragility. The vaccine texts ruling not only undermines her personal credibility but also fuels broader scepticism about the EU’s democratic accountability, particularly as anti-establishment sentiment grows. As the Commission faces potential appeals and further investigations, von der Leyen’s ability to weather this storm will depend on her capacity to restore trust and navigate an increasingly hostile environment—a tall order for a leader already stretched thin.
Sources: Reuters, Politico, Euractiv, UnHerd, edited by g.g.
Caption: Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President, reacts during a debate at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, 7 May 2025. [EPA-EFE/RONALD WITTEK]
Updated: May 14, 2025 - 15:38
