13/05/2025
A Culture of Secrecy in Plain Sight
The European Union prides itself on transparency, but scratch the surface, and you’ll find a system where crucial decisions are made in the shadows, often via text messages.
As journalist Alexander Fanta highlighted, there have been claims that EU leaders rely on private messaging for high-stakes discussions: reports suggest Ursula von der Leyen may have exchanged texts with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel almost on a daily basis, Dutch PM Mark Rutte played a key role in 2015 Eurozone crisis talks through a late-night SMS as French President Macron did by suspending the conclusion of MERCOSUR via an SMS to von der Leyen. Meanwhile, questions linger over whether billion-euro vaccine deals were shaped through unofficial chats with corporate leaders like Pfizer’s CEO. Yet when journalists ask for these records, institutions dismiss them as insignificant or claim they don’t exist.
The Landmark Case That Could Mark a Turning Point
This week, the EU Court of Justice is set to rule on whether the European Commission must disclose von der Leyen’s texts with Pfizer’s Albert Bourla, a case first initiated four years ago. The decision goes well beyond this case by potentially forcing all EU institutions to archive and release high-level officials’ messages, setting a precedent for accountability.
As such, the ruling could compel the Commission to systematically archive messages from high-level officials, creating an invaluable record for journalists, researchers, and the public.
This case, often referred to as “Pfizergate,” highlights the challenges of ensuring accountability in the digital age. Despite the European Ombudsman’s earlier finding of maladministration over the Commission’s failure to search for the messages, the Commission maintained that such texts were “short-lived” and not subject to EU transparency laws.
What’s at stake isn’t just a few deleted texts. It’s about whether the EU follows its own laws: access to documents is a fundamental right (Article 15 TFEU, Article 42 EU Charter of Fundamental Rights). If the EU demands transparency from others, it must lead by example.
This development serves as a wake-up call for the EU to uphold its own standards of transparency and accountability.
Why This Matters Beyond Brussels
If the EU wants to defend the rules-based order, it must prove it doesn’t play by double standards. Public scrutiny should extend to every layer of decision-making, even the President’s phone.
The ruling could mark a turning point in EU transparency.
At The Good Lobby, we believe that democracy only works when decisions are made in the light, not in the shadows. We will continue to monitor and support efforts that promote accountability within the EU.