Von Der Leyen — Politics of Secrecy

In this episode, we examine the controversial political career of Ursula von der Leyen, from her time as Germany’s Defense Minister to her current role as President of the European Commission.The Consultant AffairWe look back at her tenure in Berlin, where she faced scrutiny over improperly awarded defense contracts to external consultants. The controversy deepened with the deletion of official mobile phone data, a move that obstructed investigations and drew heavy criticism over transparency and accountability.Pfizergate and EU LeadershipAs European Commission President, von der Leyen now faces fresh questions about the transparency of COVID-19 vaccine procurement. At the center of the storm: private text messages exchanged with Pfizer’s CEO, which a court has ordered to be disclosed but remain unseen.This episode unpacks the broader implications of these controversies and what they reveal about governance, accountability, and leadership in the EU.