European Lawmakers Sue Parliament Over Denial of COVID Vaccine Contract Investigation
November 11, 2025181 AufrufeLesezeit: 2 Minuten
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According to Politico, a group of lawmakers in the European Parliament has filed a lawsuit against the institution after it declined to initiate an official investigation into the contracts for COVID vaccine purchases within the European Union. These contracts have sparked significant controversy in political and media circles since 2021.
The European Union's court has reportedly received a formal request confirming that the decision by political group leaders to refuse a vote on the establishment of an investigative committee was deemed "illegal," as stated in the submitted documents.
The report noted that the complaint was filed by right-wing factions in the Parliament, including Identity and Democracy, European Conservatives and Reformists, and the European People's Party.
Politico highlighted that over 180 Members of the European Parliament had previously called for a comprehensive investigation into the contracts signed during the pandemic, citing concerns over a lack of transparency that raises "legitimate questions about conflicts of interest and the management of public funds."
Background of the Allegations
This development follows a prior ruling by the European Court in Luxembourg, which confirmed that the European Commission violated regulations during the procurement of COVID vaccines in 2020 and 2021 by withholding information about vaccine prices and failing to provide sufficient evidence regarding the absence of conflicts of interest.
In 2021, The New York Times revealed that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen exchanged text messages with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla regarding the largest vaccine purchase contract in the history of the European Union, valued at approximately €35 billion for the purchase of 1.8 billion doses, far exceeding the needs of the Union's population.
Despite repeated calls to disclose the content of this correspondence, the European Commission refused to release it in June 2022, further intensifying controversies surrounding the nature of the negotiations and the transparency in the management of these contracts.
The European Union's court has reportedly received a formal request confirming that the decision by political group leaders to refuse a vote on the establishment of an investigative committee was deemed "illegal," as stated in the submitted documents.
The report noted that the complaint was filed by right-wing factions in the Parliament, including Identity and Democracy, European Conservatives and Reformists, and the European People's Party.
Politico highlighted that over 180 Members of the European Parliament had previously called for a comprehensive investigation into the contracts signed during the pandemic, citing concerns over a lack of transparency that raises "legitimate questions about conflicts of interest and the management of public funds."
Background of the Allegations
This development follows a prior ruling by the European Court in Luxembourg, which confirmed that the European Commission violated regulations during the procurement of COVID vaccines in 2020 and 2021 by withholding information about vaccine prices and failing to provide sufficient evidence regarding the absence of conflicts of interest.
In 2021, The New York Times revealed that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen exchanged text messages with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla regarding the largest vaccine purchase contract in the history of the European Union, valued at approximately €35 billion for the purchase of 1.8 billion doses, far exceeding the needs of the Union's population.
Despite repeated calls to disclose the content of this correspondence, the European Commission refused to release it in June 2022, further intensifying controversies surrounding the nature of the negotiations and the transparency in the management of these contracts.
