The European Commission failed to grant “sufficiently broad access” to contracts for Covid-19 vaccines, an EU court ruled on Wednesday – a day before a crucial vote on whether or not to Ursula von der Leyen.
The European General Court ruled that the Commission’s decision to withhold parts of the agreements contained “irregularities”. It concluded that the Commission had not demonstrated that wider access to the contracts would harm the commercial interests of pharmaceutical companies.
The long-awaited decision comes as von der Leyen prepares to give a speech on Thursday to reassure MEPs, especially those who do not really trust her, that she can lead the European executive for another term.
Von der Leyen must secure the support of 361 MEPs to become president again. The margins appear slim at the moment.
The three centrist groups von der Leyen relied on in 2019 – her own European People’s Party, the Socialists and Democrats and Renew – could technically give her a majority, but only if all together, MEPs vote in favor in the secret ballot.
Reaction from the left
The Left, commenting on the Court’s decision, stressed that the European Union needs a president “who defends the public interest and does not make under-the-table deals”.
O #ECJ exposed Ursula von der Leyen’s failure to ensure transparency during her term in office!@EU_Commission did not give the public sufficiently broad access to the purchase agreements to #COVID-19 vaccines.
deserves a President who defends the public interest and not secret agreements. pic.twitter.com/bOYinmpQzy
— The Left in the European Parliament (@Left_EU) July 17, 2024