EU's General Court Boosts Transparency with Landmark Ruling on Vaccine Texts

The European Union's General Court delivered a blow to the European Commission on Wednesday by annulling its decision to withhold text messages exchanged between Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer's CEO during COVID-19 vaccine negotiations. The ruling challenges the EU executive's transparency, as the court found insufficient reasoning for rejecting the request by The New York Times to release these texts.

Despite von der Leyen's claim of not possessing the messages, the court criticized the Commission's inadequate explanation of its efforts to locate the documents. The ruling highlights criticism faced by the Commission over its handling of vaccine deals amidst the pandemic, underscoring a demand for increased openness.

The General Court's decision was welcomed by The New York Times as a triumph for transparency. Lawmakers and Transparency International have emphasized the need for institutional accountability within the European Commission, pressing for clearer access to information and substantial explanations to uphold democratic principles.

(With inputs from agencies.)