Optics. That's the true name of the evil overlord.

Government cares about "looking" like they are doing the right thing. Because they want to get public support.

Then there is corruption. But I will say that's a secondary issue. Anyways, I am pretty sure once govt changes were I am from, former politicians will find a job easily in pharma. Again this is secondary and will always happen.

I'm pretty sure the actual interest is "Not having people die and overloading the healthcare system", but okay lmao

You should tell this to Bolsonaro or Trump, both of which miserably failed at even pretending to look like they're doing the right thing.

Brazilian president delayed negotiations with Pfizer for the vaccine because he wanted involved in a scheme to make a bribe of $1 per dose.

Bulgaria has been quite conformant to the EU/US narrative both in terms of government and mass media. After the last elections there is even a joke circulating around, that next time we shall vote for an US ambassador.

Or, for that matter, both presidents Trump and Biden?