The case could set a precedent for whether cell phone messages count as official documents and what rights the public and press have to access them.

But the larger political issue at stake is von der Leyen’s own credibility as she begins her second term heading the European Union’s executive branch.

The European Commission led by committed to will uphold standards of transparency, efficiency and integrity. Von der Leyen’s team frequently evaluates and sometimes penalizes EU member governments if they break the rules.

On Friday, the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg will examine the claim that von der Leyen’s administration was wrong to refuse requests to see text messages that Matina Stevis-Gridneff, the former New York Times bureau chief in Brussels, allegedly exchanged with Pfizer. boss Albert Bourla at the height of the epidemic.

Stevis-Gridneff first reported the messages in a report report With von der Leyen in 2021. However, since then the Commission reluctant to confirm or deny whether such texts exist or what they say or do not say.

In the EU General Court case, Stevis-Gridneff is seeking annulment of the Commission’s decision to deny access to the documents, claiming it contravenes EU transparency laws. While the court will issue its decision at a later date, likely in early 2025, Friday’s public hearing will present the first and perhaps only opportunity for the two sides’ positions to be aired in public court.