Belgian Court to Review Immunity of EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
Legal proceedings to address von der Leyen's alleged role in COVID-19 vaccine procurement controversy.
A Belgian court in Liège is set to review the legal immunity of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on January 6, following allegations related to COVID-19 vaccine procurement.
Frederic Baldan, a Belgian lobbyist, filed a legal complaint against von der Leyen, raising accusations of high-level corruption, usurpation of functions and title, destruction of public documents, and engaging in secretive negotiations with Pfizer's CEO, Albert Bourla.
The case stems from communication records reportedly involving SMS exchanges to secure a deal for 1.8 billion vaccine doses valued at approximately €35 billion.
Baldan contends that von der Leyen's actions bypassed transparency norms and the consent of EU member states, further asserting that the SMS messages were deleted under questionable circumstances.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has intervened, indicating that as European Commission President, von der Leyen holds immunity from prosecution for these charges.
However, the Liège court schedule first addressed these concerns on May 17, 2024, where its jurisdiction over the matter was affirmed.
Frederic Baldan's involvement as a complainant underscores broader allegations of impropriety within EU institutions, per his citation of 'Pfizergate,' a term denoting the alleged undisclosed negotiations concerning vaccine contracts.
Baldan has voiced concerns over damages to public finances and potential breaches of EU regulatory frameworks resulting from the procurement process.
The forthcoming hearings will be critical in determining whether von der Leyen's claimed immunity will hold, spotlighting the complex intersections of governance, accountability, and public health logistics within the EU framework.
Frederic Baldan, a Belgian lobbyist, filed a legal complaint against von der Leyen, raising accusations of high-level corruption, usurpation of functions and title, destruction of public documents, and engaging in secretive negotiations with Pfizer's CEO, Albert Bourla.
The case stems from communication records reportedly involving SMS exchanges to secure a deal for 1.8 billion vaccine doses valued at approximately €35 billion.
Baldan contends that von der Leyen's actions bypassed transparency norms and the consent of EU member states, further asserting that the SMS messages were deleted under questionable circumstances.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has intervened, indicating that as European Commission President, von der Leyen holds immunity from prosecution for these charges.
However, the Liège court schedule first addressed these concerns on May 17, 2024, where its jurisdiction over the matter was affirmed.
Frederic Baldan's involvement as a complainant underscores broader allegations of impropriety within EU institutions, per his citation of 'Pfizergate,' a term denoting the alleged undisclosed negotiations concerning vaccine contracts.
Baldan has voiced concerns over damages to public finances and potential breaches of EU regulatory frameworks resulting from the procurement process.
The forthcoming hearings will be critical in determining whether von der Leyen's claimed immunity will hold, spotlighting the complex intersections of governance, accountability, and public health logistics within the EU framework.
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