31 billion euros. That's how much the EU potentially overpaid for its Covid vaccines.
In other words, taxpayers may have overpaid by 31 billion so that Pfizer could make $1,000 per second on its vaccines.
The EU is facing backlash for its lack of transparency in its negotiations with pharmaceutical companies. Is it trying to hide the truth? The question is at the heart of a controversy since the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, refused to reveal the content of secret text messages she exchanged with Pfizer’s CEO while negotiating...
These shady practices must end now!
Demand that Ursula von der Leyen reveal the content of these texts.
According to the European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, the EU rules are clear: the public has the right to access written exchanges - including texts - in the context of these negotiations. But Ursula von der Leyen refuses to reveal this secret correspondence to the public.
It's not the first time von der Leyen acts shady. In 2019, the content of her phone was mysteriously erased when the German parliament requested it in the context of an investigation targeting her. She was suspected of having shown favouritism in the awarding of contracts when she was German defense minister.
Von der Leyen claimed at the time that it was the result of mishandling by an assistant. But since she took over as head of the European Commission, many observers have criticized the institution for being less and less transparent, accountable, and democratic.
Ursula von der Leyen must shed light on these negotiations, which cost the taxpayer an excess 31 billion euros!
Tell the President of the European Commission to disclose her secret text messages with Pfizer's CEO.
You can make Ursula von der Leyen cave in, just as SumOfUs members have already done with David Cameron. Following the Panama Papers revelations, more than 50,000 SumOfUs members forced the former British Prime Minister to be transparent about a tax evasion scandal in which he and his family were involved.
More recently, at the European level, you pushed Members of the European Parliament to adopt a historic regulation against tech giants in order to protect people everywhere.
Once again, you can tip the balance in favor of justice!
Demand that Ursula von der Leyen reveal her secret text messages with Pfizer’s CEO.
More information
Ursula von der Leyen refuses to publish messages with Pfizer boss
The Times. 28 January 2022.
The Times. 28 January 2022.
EU’s Von Der Leyen Told to Look for Pfizer Vaccine Texts
Bloomberg. 28 January 2022.
Bloomberg. 28 January 2022.
EU watchdog raps Commission over von der Leyen’s texts with Pfizer boss
Politico. 28 January 2022.
Politico. 28 January 2022.
How Europe Sealed a Pfizer Vaccine Deal With Texts and Calls
The New York Times. 28 April 2021.
The New York Times. 28 April 2021.
EU executive rebuked for not disclosing Von der Leyen-Pfizer texts
The Guardian. 28 January 2022.
The Guardian. 28 January 2022.
EU unable to cap COVID-19 vaccine prices in secret deals
Investigate Europe. 23 September 2021.
Investigate Europe. 23 September 2021.
The Great Vaccine Robbery
The People's Vaccine. 29 July 2021.
The People's Vaccine. 29 July 2021.