Von der Leyen Faces More Legal Proceedings Over COVID-19 Vaccine Transparency

In April 2023, Belgian lobbyist Frédéric Baldan filed a legal complaint in Liège, Belgium, accusing European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of “usurpation of office and title,” “destruction of public documents,” and “unlawful benefit-taking and corruption.” The allegations centre on procuring COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic, particularly the lack of transparency and the alleged mishandling of related documents.

The initial hearing, initially scheduled for earlier this year, was postponed and is now set for December 6, 2024.

At the heart of the case is an accusation that von der Leyen oversaw the purchase of €35 billion worth of COVID-19 vaccines without sufficient transparency. Additionally, there are claims of the destruction of vital public documents. Baldan has emphasised that these opaque practices must be thoroughly investigated to uphold accountability and transparency.

Baldan has utilised social media platform X to update the press about the criminal proceedings against von der Leyen. He also announced plans to hold a press conference on December 7, 2024, the day after the hearing. He consistently focuses on advocating for citizens’ right to access public information.

Broader Transparency Issues in Vaccine Procurement

Brussels’ handling of anti-COVID vaccine procurement has faced multiple legal challenges in Belgium and before EU courts. These include a high-profile case brought forward by The New York Times regarding transparency in the Commission’s decision-making process.

On July 17, 2024, the EU court responded to a separate complaint initiated primarily by a group of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). The court criticised the European Commission for a lack of transparency, particularly concerning potential conflicts of interest between the Commission’s negotiating teams and pharmaceutical companies.

A Controversial Local Perspective

It is worth recalling the context of public criticism during the COVID-19 pandemic. When this site voiced scepticism about specific local pandemic measures, journalists aligned with the Daphne Caruana Galizia narrative labelled these criticisms as antagonistic toward public welfare. It later became known that Daphne Caruana Galizia’s husband had been involved in the importation of anti-COVID vaccines into Malta from the very beginning of the pandemic. 

This revelation adds a layer of irony, as journalists aligned with the Daphne Caruana Galizia narrative never investigated or even declared that they had a vested interest in Malta in attacking those people, including the owner of this site, who were voicing concerns about the way the government was coercing the Maltese people in taking the anti-covid vaccines.