Focus on the BIG picture.
Friday, May 09, 2025

Belgian Court to Decide on Ursula von der Leyen's Immunity in Vaccine Procurement Dispute

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.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Historic Papal Conclave Set to Commence in Rome
Huge Copper, Gold, and Silver Discovery in Argentina and Chile — But the Profits Go Abroad
The Road to Freedom: She Protested Putin, Escaped House Arrest, and Survived a 2,800-Kilometer Journey
Prince Harry is pleading for reconciliation — but the royals are just as sick of his victimhood as everyone else
OpenAI's Flip-Flop: No Longer Going Commercial, Back to Nonprofit, After Musk Lawsuit and Backlash
First From China: Zhao Xintong Wins the Snooker World Championship
Nvidia Faces Billion-Dollar Losses – Warns: China Is on Its Way to Becoming an AI Superpower
Trump Rules Out Third Term, Names JD Vance and Marco Rubio as Potential Successors
Mexico Says ‘No’ to U.S. Troops: President Sheinbaum Rejects Trump’s Offer to Fight Cartels
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK Storms the Map, Wrecking the Two-Party Monopoly
DOGE: Reimagining Government Operations with AI
EU Hits TikTok with €530 Million Fine Over China Data Transfers
Beijing Says U.S. Is ‘Reaching Out’ for Tariff Talks Amid Soaring Trade Tensions
U.K. Court Rejects Prince Harry’s Final Appeal Over Police Security
Warren Buffett to Step Down as Berkshire CEO After Nearly 60 Years
Prince Harry’s Heartfelt Outburst Rocks the Royal Family
Trump Shares AI-Generated Image of Himself as… Pope, Prompting Outrage Reaction
Transgender Swimmer Secures Five Gold Medals at U.S. Masters Championship
Prince Harry: “I Want Reconciliation with My Family”
Germany's Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party has now been officially labeled “right-wing extremist” by the federal office for the so-called “protection of the constitution.”
Amazon Launches Satellite Internet Service Amidst Competition with SpaceX
Transformative Changes in Women's Wrestling: The Rise of WWE Superstars
The Rush to the White Gold: Global Investment Surge in Natural Hydrogen Exploration
This is a day in Spain without electricity and internet
180-Year-Old Christian University in South Carolina Announces Closure Due to Unmet $6 Million Fundraising Goal
Brazilian Woman Jailed for Fourteen Years for Writing “You Lost, Idiot” on Statue During Protest
Trump Administration Removes National Security Adviser Mike Waltz Amid Signal Chat Controversy
Huawei Ramps Up Testing of Powerful New AI Chip in Challenge to Nvidia Amid U.S. Sanctions
Dutch Politician Eva Vlaardingerbroek Receives Spyware Threat Alert from Apple
Paramount Board Considers Settlement in Trump’s $20 Billion Lawsuit Over "60 Minutes" Interview
U.S. Economy Shrink in Trump’s First Quarter as Tariff Policy Raises Questions
U.S. and Ukraine Poised to Sign Strategic Critical Minerals Deal Amid Geopolitical Shifts
Sweden Grapples with Deadly Gun Violence: Suspect Arrested After Three Young Men Killed in Uppsala Hair Salon
Walz Reveals Why Harris Chose Him as Her Running Mate and Reflects on Democratic Losses
Spain Restores Power After Unprecedented Nationwide Blackout
Carney Secures Liberal Mandate in Canada’s Federal Election
Death Penalty Sought as Luigi Manion Pleads Not Guilty in CEO Murder Case
President Trump contacts Jeff Bezos after reports of Amazon considering listing tariff surcharges; company clarifies no such plan for main platform
Spain and Portugal Recover from Massive Blackout
Liverpool Clinches Record-Equalling 20th English League Title Under Arne Slot
Massive Raid on Underground Nightclub in Colorado Springs Yields Over 100 Arrests
Singapore Politicians Warn Against Foreign Interference in Election
Driver Ploughs into Vancouver Festival Crowd, Killing Nine
Depression, Fear of Defamation, and a Tragic End: New Details on Virginia Giuffre’s Suicide
“Sharia for UK, Allah Akbar!”
China Warns Nations Against Trade Deals Harmful to Its Interests
Malaysia Revises Growth Outlook Amid US Trade Talks
Massive Explosion at Iran's Bandar Abbas Port Linked to Suspicious Chemical Shipments
Wild Courtroom Chaos: FBI Arrests Milwaukee Judge for Helping Illegal Immigrant Flee from ICE Agents!
Pakistani migrants to Danish man: “ “We have 5 children while you have 1 or 2. In 10 years, there will be more Pakistanis than Danes here.“
×