Critical: No-Confidence Motion Against von der Leyen – Can This Really Be True Given Her History?
Personal Introduction
Can this really be true? Given everything we know about Ursula von der Leyen, everyone should be asking themselves that question. I, Alexander Renz, find this both legally and morally troubling.
Pfizergate: Texts, Deals, and Transparency
- In spring 2021, suspicions arose that von der Leyen had conducted key negotiations with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla via private text messages, involving a €35 billion deal for 1.8 billion vaccine doses (Wikipedia).
- The New York Times accused the EU Commission of deliberately deleting or covering up the messages. In May 2025, the EU court ruled the Commission had provided “no plausible explanation” for failing to produce them (euronews).
- The court put an end to the secrecy: Private SMS are not private when used for political negotiations (Financial Times).
Personal Critique: I see this as a mockery of public transparency – especially during global crises. How much trust can remain when core contract terms are kept in the dark?
EU Investigations: EPPO in Action
- The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has been formally investigating since October 2022 for potential interference, corruption, or conflicts of interest in connection with the SMS deal (DIE WELT).
- Belgium (Liège), as well as Hungary and Poland, have filed legal complaints (Wikipedia).
Personal Opinion: Is this just bureaucratic saber-rattling – or the beginning of real accountability? A democratic no-confidence vote would be a necessary nuisance!
Historical Baggage: Consulting Scandal & Deleted Phones
- Back in 2019/2020, von der Leyen, then German Defense Minister, issued no-bid contracts and had two government phones “wiped” (Wikipedia).
- Investigations into possible data destruction were launched – but the outcome remains vague and without legal consequences to date.
Personal Impression: There’s a worrying pattern: lack of transparency in sensitive deals, followed by limited investigations. Again and again. Where are the serious consequences?
No-Confidence Motion: Symbolic Gesture – Politically Necessary
- The recent no-confidence vote in the EU Parliament failed by a wide margin – but that was more due to political maneuvering than a lack of concern (Courthouse News).
- Major parties chose stability over scrutiny – at the cost of dealing honestly with serious civil concerns.
My Perspective: Symbolic politics? Maybe. But the core is valid: we need both judicial and political answers to such systemic failures.
Is Corruption Proven – or Still Just Alleged?
Let’s examine the allegations in detail:
| Allegation | Facts & Court Rulings | Personal Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| SMS Deals | Clear court ruling: EU Commission violated documentation duty (POLITICO) | Suspicion exists – but no definitive proof of corruption yet. |
| EPPO Investigations | Ongoing proceedings, but no convictions | Investigations are legitimate – but let’s wait for the outcome. |
| Consulting Scandal | Lack of transparency, deleted phone data – proceedings launched, outcome unclear | Smells like a cover-up of executive misconduct. |
| Political Handling | EU parties favor stability over accountability | A political failure: PR wins over responsibility. |
Conclusion & Personal Statement
True, Ursula von der Leyen has not been convicted – not yet. But we must seriously ask: How much structural opacity is acceptable in democratic leadership?
Personally, I believe: It’s high time for a culture of total transparency – through stricter rules, timely publication, and honest accountability.
The no-confidence motion was not an attack, but a long-overdue wake-up call.
Political Demands
- Official documentation of SMS & chats – during all digital negotiations.
- Regular sanctions for data deletion – especially in contract awarding.
- Clear reporting obligations – including “informal” communications via private devices.
- Empowerment of EU Parliaments and ombudspersons – to ensure genuine oversight.
ℹ Final Thought for Readers
Ask yourselves: Can we just accept these practices – just because there hasn’t been a final court ruling yet?
Democracy depends on trust. And trust is built on transparency, not PR strategy.
Image Credits
Photos: Collage of Ursula von der Leyen and Albert Bourla during COVID‑19 negotiations (Sources: EU Commission, Press)