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Belgian lobbyist sues von der Leyen over Pfizer contracts

2023-04-17 11:40:00, Kosova & Bota CNA
Belgian lobbyist sues von der Leyen over Pfizer contracts
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen

A Belgian lobbyist sued European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a Belgian court after she exchanged text messages with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla.

Von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla allegedly negotiated the €1.8 billion contract extension for additional doses in EU countries via text messages.

Frédéric Baldan, a Belgian lobbyist accredited to the European institutions, has decided to pursue von der Leyen on a personal level as he believes the alleged offenses have damaged his country's public finances and public trust.

Baldan filed his complaint before the court of first instance in Liege on April 5.

The judge must investigate and cannot say the complaint is inadmissible, Diane Protat, a lawyer, explained in an interview alongside Baldan on France Soir on April 14 — meaning the judge may have to ask to resign of Von der Leyen. immunity to carry out the investigation.

Usurpation of functions and titles

According to the lobbyist, Von der Leyen has acted outside the EU treaties and beyond its mandate on behalf of member states, including Belgium, of which he is a citizen.

According to Baldan, the member states mandated the Commission to conclude a framework contract for the purchase of vaccines on their behalf, not von der Leyen himself.

However, according to EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides, von der Leyen did not participate in the negotiation of the COVID vaccine contracts./ Adapted from CNA.al





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