Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has reiterated that the legal costs in Case T-36/23, brought by Stevi and The New York Times against the Commission, cannot yet be quantified. In a written answer on 28 July 2026 to a question from MEP Friedrich Pürner (NI), von der Leyen stated that no new elements have emerged since the Commission's previous replies, and the costs have not been liquidated. The answer offers no concrete figures or timeline for when the costs might be determined, leaving MEP Pürner and other observers without the financial transparency sought. This is the third time the Commission has declined to provide a cost estimate, following earlier answers on 9 December 2025 and subsequent exchanges. The case, which concerns access to documents, remains ongoing, and the Commission's stance may fuel further scrutiny from transparency advocates and MEPs pushing for greater accountability in EU litigation spending.
Source✉ Open answer ↗
Asked byFriedrich Pürner (NI)