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Belgian Court to Decide on Ursula von der Leyen's Immunity in Vaccine Procurement Dispute
The EU Commission President is confronting accusations of corruption and procedural breaches in COVID-19 vaccine agreements, as a Belgian court examines the review of her immunity.
A court in Liège, Belgium, is scheduled to decide on January 6, 2025, whether Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission President, will maintain her legal immunity in relation to a case involving corruption allegations tied to the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.
This decision comes after a complaint from Belgian lobbyist Frederic Baldan, accusing von der Leyen of corruption, document destruction, and procedural violations.
Case Background
The allegations against von der Leyen arise from claims that she engaged in secret negotiations with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla through SMS to arrange a €35 billion deal for 1.8 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Frederic Baldan, the complainant, asserts that these negotiations bypassed EU member states and lacked transparency.
Von der Leyen has claimed the SMS messages were "accidentally deleted.” The court might accidentally believe her...
The case's first hearing took place on May 17, 2024, during which the court established its jurisdiction.
However, subsequent proceedings faced delays due to an objection by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), asserting that von der Leyen’s immunity, as President of the EU Commission, protects her from prosecution.
Charges and Allegations
The accusations against von der Leyen include:
- Usurpation of functions and title: Allegedly sidestepping established procurement protocols.
- Destruction of public documents: Claims of SMS deletion during crucial vaccine negotiations.
- High-level corruption: Allegations of secretive negotiations with Pfizer.
The EPPO, responsible for investigating financial crimes within EU institutions, has supported von der Leyen’s immunity claim.
Critics, including Baldan, have questioned the EPPO’s neutrality, alleging it shields von der Leyen rather than probing the corruption claims.
Frederic Baldan’s Role
Complainant Frederic Baldan has been pivotal in the so-called “Pfizergate.” In 2023, he filed a criminal complaint accusing von der Leyen of authority abuse, document destruction, and corruption linked to vaccine negotiations.
Baldan argues that these actions breached EU regulations and inflicted financial damage on public funds.
Next Steps
The Belgian court’s decision on January 6 will determine whether von der Leyen’s immunity is upheld in this case.
If the court rules against her immunity, the allegations could result in formal proceedings against the European Commission President.
The hearing's outcome will have major implications for accountability and transparency in EU institutions.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine procurement process and broader governance and oversight issues within the EU.
This decision comes after a complaint from Belgian lobbyist Frederic Baldan, accusing von der Leyen of corruption, document destruction, and procedural violations.
Case Background
The allegations against von der Leyen arise from claims that she engaged in secret negotiations with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla through SMS to arrange a €35 billion deal for 1.8 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Frederic Baldan, the complainant, asserts that these negotiations bypassed EU member states and lacked transparency.
Von der Leyen has claimed the SMS messages were "accidentally deleted.” The court might accidentally believe her...
The case's first hearing took place on May 17, 2024, during which the court established its jurisdiction.
However, subsequent proceedings faced delays due to an objection by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), asserting that von der Leyen’s immunity, as President of the EU Commission, protects her from prosecution.
Charges and Allegations
The accusations against von der Leyen include:
- Usurpation of functions and title: Allegedly sidestepping established procurement protocols.
- Destruction of public documents: Claims of SMS deletion during crucial vaccine negotiations.
- High-level corruption: Allegations of secretive negotiations with Pfizer.
The EPPO, responsible for investigating financial crimes within EU institutions, has supported von der Leyen’s immunity claim.
Critics, including Baldan, have questioned the EPPO’s neutrality, alleging it shields von der Leyen rather than probing the corruption claims.
Frederic Baldan’s Role
Complainant Frederic Baldan has been pivotal in the so-called “Pfizergate.” In 2023, he filed a criminal complaint accusing von der Leyen of authority abuse, document destruction, and corruption linked to vaccine negotiations.
Baldan argues that these actions breached EU regulations and inflicted financial damage on public funds.
Next Steps
The Belgian court’s decision on January 6 will determine whether von der Leyen’s immunity is upheld in this case.
If the court rules against her immunity, the allegations could result in formal proceedings against the European Commission President.
The hearing's outcome will have major implications for accountability and transparency in EU institutions.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine procurement process and broader governance and oversight issues within the EU.