Von der Leyen Scandal: Golden Consultancies, Vaccines, and the Convenient Habit of Missing Data
Ursula von der Leyen, the current President of the European Commission and a prominent figure in European politics, has built her career on high-profile roles and promises of efficiency. However, beneath the polished surface of Brussels lies a narrative filled with million-euro contracts, missing phones, and messages that—almost magically—disappear into thin air.
The “Golden Consultancies” Affair: A Scandalous Debut
During her tenure as Germany’s Minister of Defense (2013–2019), von der Leyen became embroiled in what the media quickly dubbed the “Golden Consultancies” scandal. The German Federal Audit Office raised alarms over the extensive, opaque, and rather cavalier use of external consultants.
Companies like McKinsey and Accenture, giants in their field, were awarded million-euro contracts without transparent bidding processes. The suspicion? Favoritism and professional and familial ties uncomfortably close to the minister. Consequently, the German Parliament established a commission of inquiry. But here’s where the plot thickens.
The Missing (or Rather, Wiped) Phone
During parliamentary investigations, a detail emerged straight out of a spy novel: the phones used by Ursula von der Leyen had been completely wiped. All data—emails, messages, contacts—vanished. The official reason? Security concerns. The result? No messages, no evidence. And a cloud of suspicion denser than the fog over Berlin in November.
“Pfizergate”: New Chapter, Old Habits
Years pass, and von der Leyen settles into Brussels. But habits, as they say, die hard. During the pandemic, the European Commission negotiated with Pfizer for the purchase of vaccines worth billions of euros. These negotiations weren’t conducted through institutional channels but—according to The New York Times—via a series of personal text messages between Ursula and Pfizer’s CEO, Albert Bourla. Yes, via SMS.
When some Members of the European Parliament requested access to these exchanges, the Commission responded with a now-familiar refrain: the messages are no longer available. A déjà vu that’s almost poetic, if it weren’t so tragic. Sensitive data? Deleted. Billion-euro negotiations? Undocumented. And transparency? Postponed indefinitely.
No Shadows on the Career… Quite the Opposite!
One might think that such episodes would have impacted the President’s political career. Yet, that’s not the case. No indictments for the consultancy affair, no repercussions for “Pfizergate”. On the contrary: in 2019, Ursula was elected to lead the European Commission, and in 2024, she was reelected for a second term.
In July 2024, the European Parliament attempted to halt her reappointment by approving a motion citing the consultancy scandal as a point of concern. However, political reality, as often happens, ignored moral recommendations.
Data Disappears, Trust Erodes
The common thread linking the two main scandals associated with Ursula von der Leyen is unsettling: data and communications systematically disappear when they could clarify controversial matters. A coincidence? Perhaps. But hard to accept as standard practice in a democracy that claims to be founded on transparency and accountability.
The issue isn’t solely judicial; it’s profoundly political: is it legitimate for a leadership to be confirmed, or even rewarded, despite repeated opacity and resistance to transparency?
European citizens should ask themselves this question, and urgently. Because if data disappears, trust might follow suit. And this time, without a backup.
Note: This article is a translated and adapted version of the original Italian piece titled “Scandalo Von der Leyen: ” Scandalo Von der Leyen: consulenze d’oro, vaccini e l’abitudine (molto comoda) dei dati mancanti”.