Opposition call Von der Pfizer to Resign
Members of the European Parliament opposition have intensified calls for Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, to resign — with some even using the biting nickname “von der Pfizer” to spotlight growing unease over her opaque handling of Pfizer vaccine negotiations.
At the heart of this controversy lies a troubling question: How can the head of the European Commission credibly champion anti-corruption and transparency abroad while sidestepping those very principles at home?
Von der Leyen has positioned herself as a stalwart of European values, frequently lecturing illiberal governments on corruption, judicial independence, and democratic norms. Yet, the Commission under her leadership is itself facing serious allegations of secrecy and impropriety — most notably surrounding the EU’s multi-billion-euro vaccine deal with Pfizer.
To date, von der Leyen has refused to disclose text messages exchanged with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla during critical stages of vaccine procurement. This has drawn sharp criticism from EU ombudsman Emily O’Reilly, who flagged a “maladministration” in the Commission’s handling of the matter. A subsequent refusal to comply with the European Court of Auditors’ requests for details only deepened suspicions.
This is not just a case of poor optics — it’s a matter of principle. The European project hinges on a delicate contract of trust between its institutions and citizens. When that trust is eroded at the highest level, it reverberates far beyond Brussels.
The derisive moniker “von der Pfizer” is not simply a cheap jab; it reflects a deeper erosion of public confidence. It encapsulates the sense that EU leaders may be too cozy with corporate power, particularly during times of crisis. And when accountability becomes a casualty of expedience, Europe’s democratic credibility pays the price.
Critics across the political spectrum, from far-left parties to mainstream centrists, are now demanding clarity. Some call for a resignation. Others at least want the president to explain her role, provide full transparency, and submit to the same scrutiny the Commission expects from member states and foreign powers alike.
If von der Leyen hopes to salvage the moral authority of her office — and by extension, that of the European Commission — she must not only open the books but show genuine contrition for how this process has been handled. Transparency cannot be selectively invoked when convenient, nor integrity brandished only against adversaries.
Europe deserves leadership that leads by example. If von der Leyen cannot deliver that, the call for her resignation will not just be political noise — it will be a necessary act of democratic self-respect.
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Warm greetings from Brussels, friends, we are fighting.
