EU Court Overturns Commission's Decision on Access to Text Messages between von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO
Court ruling emphasizes the importance of transparency in EU institutions after a request for access to SMS messages related to COVID-19 vaccine procurement negotiations.
BRUSSELS - The Court of Justice of the European Union has annulled a decision made by the European Commission regarding a request from The New York Times to access SMS messages exchanged between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla during negotiations over COVID-19 vaccine procurement.
The American publication sought access to messages sent between January 1, 2021, and May 11, 2022, a period during which contracts worth billions of euros were concluded.
The Commission initially rejected the request, claiming that the messages were not retained, prompting The New York Times to file a lawsuit.
In its recent ruling, the court sided with the newspaper, overturning the Commission's decision and reinforcing the necessity for transparency within European institutions.
As previously reported, The New York Times and its correspondent Matina Stevis-Gridneff filed the lawsuit, alleging a breach of transparency rules after the Commission refused to provide the requested text messages.
In April 2021, the journalist revealed that von der Leyen and Bourla had exchanged SMS messages prior to finalizing vaccine supply contracts.
In the following year, Stevis-Gridneff formally requested all text messages exchanged between von der Leyen and Bourla during the specified period, invoking the legal right of access to public documents in the EU.
The American publication sought access to messages sent between January 1, 2021, and May 11, 2022, a period during which contracts worth billions of euros were concluded.
The Commission initially rejected the request, claiming that the messages were not retained, prompting The New York Times to file a lawsuit.
In its recent ruling, the court sided with the newspaper, overturning the Commission's decision and reinforcing the necessity for transparency within European institutions.
As previously reported, The New York Times and its correspondent Matina Stevis-Gridneff filed the lawsuit, alleging a breach of transparency rules after the Commission refused to provide the requested text messages.
In April 2021, the journalist revealed that von der Leyen and Bourla had exchanged SMS messages prior to finalizing vaccine supply contracts.
In the following year, Stevis-Gridneff formally requested all text messages exchanged between von der Leyen and Bourla during the specified period, invoking the legal right of access to public documents in the EU.
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