European Court Criticizes Lack of Transparency in COVID Vaccine Contracts

Europe's second-highest court criticized the European Commission for inadequate transparency regarding COVID-19 vaccine contracts signed four years ago. The court ruled that wider public access should have been granted. Lawmakers welcome the decision as significant for future joint procurements in health and defense, ahead of von der Leyen's pivotal vote for a second term.

Europe's second-highest court on Wednesday criticized the European Commission for a lack of transparency over COVID-19 vaccine contracts signed four years ago, just a day before a key vote on Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's bid for a second term.

The criticism centers on the Commission's multimillion-euro contracts with pharmaceutical giants, including Pfizer and AstraZeneca, and its refusal to disclose text messages between von der Leyen and Pfizer's CEO. The court ruled that the public deserved broader access to these documents, rejecting the Commission's privacy and commercial confidentiality arguments.

The ruling is lauded as pivotal by lawmakers, particularly as the Commission prepares for more joint procurement initiatives in health and defense sectors. The European Parliament is set to vote on von der Leyen's future, with transparency in government dealings likely to play a crucial role.

(With inputs from agencies.)