Belgian Court to Decide on Ursula von der Leyen’s Immunity in Vaccine Procurement Dispute
The EU Commission President is accused of corruption and procedural infractions related to COVID-19 vaccine contracts, and a Belgian court is currently examining her immunity.
A Belgian court in Liège will announce on January 6, 2025, if Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, maintains legal immunity in a case involving corruption allegations related to COVID-19 vaccine procurement.
The decision is in response to a complaint by Belgian lobbyist Frederic Baldan, who accuses von der Leyen of corruption, destruction of public documents, and procedural breaches.
Case Background
The allegations against von der Leyen are based on claims that she secretly negotiated with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla via SMS to secure a €35 billion contract for 1.8 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Complainant Frederic Baldan asserts that these talks bypassed EU member states and lacked transparency.
Von der Leyen insists that the SMS messages were "accidentally deleted". The court might also find this explanation plausible...
The initial hearing took place on May 17, 2024, where the court affirmed its jurisdiction over the case.
Proceedings were subsequently delayed following an objection by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), which argued that von der Leyen’s immunity, as EU Commission President, protects her from being prosecuted.
Charges and Allegations
The charges against von der Leyen include:
Usurpation of functions and title: Allegedly circumventing standard procurement procedures.
Destruction of public documents: Alleged deletion of SMS messages during critical vaccine negotiations.
High-level corruption: Claims of covert dealings with Pfizer.
The EPPO, responsible for investigating financial crimes within EU institutions, has supported von der Leyen’s immunity claim.
Critics, including Baldan, have cast doubt on the EPPO's objectivity, accusing it of shielding von der Leyen rather than probing corruption allegations.
Frederic Baldan’s Role
Frederic Baldan, the complainant, has been pivotal in the controversy known as “Pfizergate.” In 2023, he lodged a criminal complaint alleging von der Leyen’s misuse of authority, document destruction, and corruption related to the vaccine negotiations.
Baldan argues that these actions breached EU regulations and led to financial damage to public resources.
Next Steps
The Belgian court’s ruling on January 6 will decide if von der Leyen’s immunity is upheld in this case.
If the court rules against her immunity, the charges could result in formal proceedings against the European Commission President.
The outcome of this hearing will have major consequences for accountability and transparency within EU institutions.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine procurement process and its broader impact on governance and oversight within the EU.
The decision is in response to a complaint by Belgian lobbyist Frederic Baldan, who accuses von der Leyen of corruption, destruction of public documents, and procedural breaches.
Case Background
The allegations against von der Leyen are based on claims that she secretly negotiated with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla via SMS to secure a €35 billion contract for 1.8 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Complainant Frederic Baldan asserts that these talks bypassed EU member states and lacked transparency.
Von der Leyen insists that the SMS messages were "accidentally deleted". The court might also find this explanation plausible...
The initial hearing took place on May 17, 2024, where the court affirmed its jurisdiction over the case.
Proceedings were subsequently delayed following an objection by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), which argued that von der Leyen’s immunity, as EU Commission President, protects her from being prosecuted.
Charges and Allegations
The charges against von der Leyen include:
Usurpation of functions and title: Allegedly circumventing standard procurement procedures.
Destruction of public documents: Alleged deletion of SMS messages during critical vaccine negotiations.
High-level corruption: Claims of covert dealings with Pfizer.
The EPPO, responsible for investigating financial crimes within EU institutions, has supported von der Leyen’s immunity claim.
Critics, including Baldan, have cast doubt on the EPPO's objectivity, accusing it of shielding von der Leyen rather than probing corruption allegations.
Frederic Baldan’s Role
Frederic Baldan, the complainant, has been pivotal in the controversy known as “Pfizergate.” In 2023, he lodged a criminal complaint alleging von der Leyen’s misuse of authority, document destruction, and corruption related to the vaccine negotiations.
Baldan argues that these actions breached EU regulations and led to financial damage to public resources.
Next Steps
The Belgian court’s ruling on January 6 will decide if von der Leyen’s immunity is upheld in this case.
If the court rules against her immunity, the charges could result in formal proceedings against the European Commission President.
The outcome of this hearing will have major consequences for accountability and transparency within EU institutions.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine procurement process and its broader impact on governance and oversight within the EU.
