EU Confirms Lost Texts Between Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Amid COVID Vaccine Deal

The European Commission has officially confirmed that text messages exchanged between its President, Ursula von der Leyen, and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic are no longer retrievable. The revelation has reignited concerns over transparency and accountability in the EU’s multibillion-euro vaccine negotiations

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What Happened?

According to a newly released document obtained by The New York Times, text messages exchanged in 2021 between von der Leyen and Pfizer executives were never formally registered. The head of von der Leyen’s cabinet claimed that the messages were considered “ephemeral and short-lived”, and thus did not meet the criteria for official record-keeping.

The document also revealed that von der Leyen’s phone was replaced several times, and the messages were not transferred or backed up, making them permanently inaccessible.

The messages were originally requested under freedom of information laws, but the Commission failed to release them, prompting legal challenges.

EU Court: Commission Acted Improperly

In May 2025, the European Union General Court ruled that the Commission erred in failing to disclose the texts, asserting that transparency obligations were not upheld. The court’s decision was made public this week.

In response, the European Commission confirmed it would not appeal the ruling, effectively acknowledging the mistake and allowing the case to move forward.

Public Reaction and Political Fallout

The missing texts have fueled criticism from transparency advocates, who argue that such private communications—especially those involving high-stakes vaccine deals—should be part of the public record.

The controversy led to a vote of no confidence against von der Leyen in July 2025, initiated by Romanian MEP Gheorghe Piperea. While the motion was ultimately defeated, it highlighted growing dissatisfaction in the European Parliament with von der Leyen’s handling of the issue.

What’s at Stake?

The incident has raised broader questions about record-keeping practices and institutional accountability within the EU, particularly during moments of global crisis. Critics argue that failing to preserve these communications erodes public trust and sets a dangerous precedent for future emergency negotiations.

With the Commission choosing not to appeal the court’s decision, a wider discussion has now begun about implementing stricter data preservation and transparency protocols for top EU officials.

Conclusion: A Turning Point for EU Transparency?

As Europe reflects on the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the loss of key communications related to vaccine deals has become a symbol of flawed transparency mechanisms in Brussels. While von der Leyen remains in office, the long-term implications for institutional reform, freedom of information policies, and public trust are only just beginning to unfold.

This story will be updated as more developments emerge.