European Commission Criticised for Nontransparency in Anti-COVID vaccine deals

The European Commission, which is the executive wing of the EU, has signed several major contracts with several pharmaceutical companies at the peak of the COVID-19, 2020 and 2021 pandemic.

European Parliament lawmakers have complained at the Luxembourg headquarters court that they have asked to review contracts, to understand terms and conditions, but that they have been given only partial access.

Furthermore, according to them, some documents have been edited, and the Commission has said this is done to protect trade interests and the decision-making process.

The General Court said the Commission has provided no evidence of how access to certain clauses of the agreements would undermine the trade interest of companies involved.

The court also said that the Commission has been able to provide more information on the team members' statements that have negotiated contracts.

The Commission has not taken into account all relevant circumstances enough to weigh interests directly in question”, the court said.

Its decision comes a day before the European Parliament votes for the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen in the post of European Commission president. /rel/