• The EU court ruled against the Commission's refusal to disclose texts between Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer's CEO.
• The case highlights issues of transparency and accountability within the EU during the COVID-19 vaccine negotiations.
• The ruling could have lasting impacts on how the EU manages and records communication for official documents.

The European Commission was wrong to refuse the release of text messages exchanged between President Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla during negotiations for COVID-19 vaccines, according to a recent ruling from the EU's General Court. This judgment comes in response to a request from The New York Times, which sought access to SMS communications that could illuminate the billion-euro vaccine procurement process, particularly the contracts signed with Pfizer for 1.8 billion doses between 2021 and 2023, according to Reuters, Le Monde, South China Morning Post, Anadolu Agency, and BBC.

The court stated that the Commission failed to provide a plausible justification for their refusal to disclose these messages, resulting in significant scrutiny for von der Leyen and suggesting potential maladministration regarding how communications are processed within the EU. The ruling signifies a crucial moment as it mandates the Commission to reassess its transparency protocols, which have faced criticism for being opaque during the emergency negotiations of the pandemic, as reported by Le Monde and South China Morning Post.

The judgment offers a potential pathway for increased public accountability in EU decision-making. It underscores the evolving nature of what constitutes an official document, especially concerning informal communication such as text messages, which may serve as crucial records in significant negotiations. This is particularly relevant given the high stakes involved in obtaining vaccines at the onset of the pandemic, which was characterized by urgency and pressure, according to Reuters, Anadolu Agency, and BBC.

In a statement following the ruling, the Commission acknowledged the judgment and expressed a commitment to strengthening transparency, indicating that it will review its protocols to align with the expectations set forth by the court. This reaction reflects a recognition of the need for accountability in high-stakes negotiations and decision-making processes, as highlighted by various news sources, including South China Morning Post and BBC.