Mask demand supposedly not scrutinized by Spahn
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the procurement of protective masks by the German government has come under heightened scrutiny, with former Health Minister Jens Spahn at the centre of a controversy.
According to reports, Spahn personally approved mask deals with Emix-Trading via email, a move that has raised eyebrows due to potential inflated prices. The federal government assured Emix that the "agreed prices would be considered market prices," which could have hindered a later cancellation of the deals.
However, the public record does not provide a clear picture of the involvement of Andrea Tandler, Emix-Trading, or any specific financial losses in this context. The matter remains under parliamentary review, with the budget committee expected to further examine these issues following the summer recess in September 2025.
The unredacted original of the Sudhof report, a document commissioned by Spahn’s successor, Karl Lauterbach, could potentially save the federation from paying a billion-dollar sum. The report, however, is heavily redacted, with blackouts intended to protect personal rights, official and business secrets, and to reduce legal risks for the federation.
Critics, including the Left Party, are calling for Spahn’s resignation as parliamentary leader of the CD/CSU, citing reckless management of taxpayer money. The Green health politician Janosch Dahmen sharply criticizes Spahn, stating that the unredacted report shows that Spahn has systematically lied.
Spahn, on the other hand, maintains that he had no indications that cast doubt on his decisions at the time. However, his statements have been met with skepticism, with Dahmen claiming these statements are malicious untruths.
Emix did not respond to questions from Der Spiegel, citing an agreed confidentiality in contractual matters. Spahn, who no longer has access to ministry files, assumes that demand was checked internally, but this claim is yet to be substantiated.
The procurement of masks during the Corona crisis threatens a multi-billion-dollar loss, with the potential liability reaching approximately 2 billion euros (US$2.1 billion) if lawsuits against the government succeed. The changed strategy by the BMG in lawsuits against mask suppliers led to a ruling by the Cologne Higher Regional Court in favor of the federation, potentially saving billions.
As the investigation continues, the public and parliament remain eager for transparency and accountability in the handling of these crucial protective equipment deals during the pandemic.
[1] Source: ntv.de
- The small and medium-sized undertakings in question, like Emix-Trading, play a significant role in the ongoing controversy surrounding the community policy regarding the procurement of protective masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The science behind medical-conditions and health-and-wellness, while essential in understanding the pandemic, takes a back seat in the current discourse, which is dominated by politics and general-news topics, such as the investigation into the mask procurement controversy.
- The public and parliament's call for transparency and accountability in the handling of protective equipment deals during the pandemic extends to all aspects, including the small and medium-sized undertakings involved in these deals, and the subsequent financial implications for the government.
