Another texting scandal engulfs von der Leyen, this time on EU-MERCOSUR deal

Another controversy over text messages has emerged involving European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Hungarian Member of the European Parliament Kinga Gál announced on the social media platform X that the European Ombudsman has opened an investigation into von der Leyen’s secret correspondence with French President Emmanuel Macron concerning the European Union’s negotiations with MERCOSUR, the common market of South American countries.

"The European Ombudsman has launched an inquiry into her secret text messages with President Macron on the EU-Mercosur deal. Just like in the case of 'Pfizergate' scandal, these messages also went missing. Once again, this case shows the EU Commission’s lack of transparency. We need real transparency in EU institutions, not secret negotiations and disappearing messages," Gál wrote.

The development comes against the backdrop of the "Pfizergate" scandal. In November 2024, the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg began hearings on a case involving text message exchanges between von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla over the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines for EU member states during the pandemic.

Von der Leyen was accused of negotiating a large vaccine purchase before the completion of trials, using text messages with Bourla, without securing prior approval from EU member states. The deal in question concerned 1.8 billion doses of Pfizer’s vaccine, valued at €35 billion.

A related case against von der Leyen, in her capacity as former German Defence Minister, is underway in Liège, Belgium. In May 2025, a Belgian tribunal began reviewing a lawsuit alleging irregularities in the awarding of the Pfizer procurement contract, also worth €35 billion.

That same month, the EU court ruled against the European Commission for failing to justify its refusal to disclose the exchange of messages between von der Leyen and the Pfizer CEO.

By Tamilla Hasanova