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EU chief faces no-confidence vote over Covid vaccine deal
Key Excerpts from Article on Website of Courthouse News
Posted: July 24th, 2025
https://www.courthousenews.com/eu-chief-faces-no-confidence-...
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen defended herself before the European Parliament Monday as she faces a largely symbolic no-confidence vote. Thursday's vote focuses on "Pfizergate" — a 35 billion euro ($38.5 billion) deal with Pfizer for up to 1.8 billion Covid vaccine doses that von der Leyen, head of the EU executive branch, negotiated ... with the company's CEO. The controversy began in March 2021 when von der Leyen bypassed normal EU procedures to negotiate directly with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla via text. The EU paid substantially more for the vaccines von der Leyen negotiated — 19.50 euros ($21.45) per dose versus 15.50 euros ($17.05) in previous contracts, according to leaked EU documents reported by European media — costing taxpayers billions. The text messages could contain vital information about how this price escalation happened and whether proper competitive procedures were followed. The scandal also involves concerns about the sheer volume of doses purchased. The 1.8 billion dose contract was signed when EU vaccination rates were already climbing, raising questions about whether such quantities were necessary. Critics point out that significant amounts of the vaccine supply now sit unused in warehouses across Europe. The European Court of Auditors published a damning report in September 2022 finding von der Leyen had conducted Pfizer negotiations improperly.
Note: For more along these lines, read our concise summaries of news articles on COVID vaccine problems and government corruption.
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