Inquiry Committee Invited by Lauterbach to Evaluate Coronavirus Policy - Investigation Commission Launched on COVID-19 Government Policy by Lauterbach
**German Parliament Establishes Inquiry Commission to Review Coronavirus Policy**
The German Bundestag has announced the formation of an inquiry commission to scrutinise the government's response to the coronavirus pandemic. The commission, set to be chaired by Karl Lauterbach, former Health Minister, will delve into the appropriateness, effectiveness, and proportionality of the state measures taken during the crisis.
The commission's scope is comprehensive, encompassing a thorough examination of how decisions were made, the communication and coordination between federal and state governments, and the role of scientific advice in policymaking. The aim is to restore lost public trust and gather lessons and recommendations to ensure a more proactive, smarter, and effective response in any future pandemic or similar crisis situations.
The review will also evaluate the economic and societal impacts, including assessing lockdowns and other restrictions that affected Germany’s economy and population. Moreover, the commission will investigate procurement practices, such as those related to medical equipment like masks, to promote transparency and accountability in the use of public funds during the crisis.
The proposal for the inquiry commission was made by the SPD and supported by the governing grand coalition, comprising the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and the Social Democrats (SPD). Key figures supporting and shaping the commission’s mandate include SPD’s Karl Lauterbach and CDU’s Friedrich Merz.
The Bundestag will vote on the establishment of the inquiry commission on Thursday afternoon. Once established, the commission will consist of 14 Members of Parliament and 14 experts. The report of the commission is expected by June 30, 2027.
The establishment of the inquiry commission is a response to criticisms and calls for accountability regarding the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic. The commission's work aligns with the SPD's efforts under Karl Lauterbach's tenure and the current grand coalition's commitment to learning from the pandemic experience.
The commission's mandate includes analysing the procurement of vaccines and other critical goods such as masks and protective clothing. Its findings are expected to provide valuable insights and recommendations for future pandemic preparedness, with the ultimate goal of regaining public confidence in the government's response to health crises.
[1] [Coalition Agreement of the Federal Republic of Germany 2021-2025](https://www.bundesregierung.de/blob/1585496/71a0e819bf28b12b82f4a2e03649547d/koalitionsvertrag-der-bundesregierung-2021-2025.pdf) [2] [German Government's Coronavirus Response](https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/coronavirus-covid-19,178747) [3] [German Parliament's Coronavirus Inquiry Commission](https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2027-05-05-0001-id-2000014103) [4] [Interview with Hendrik Streeck](https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/hendrik-streeck-wir-mussen-die-pandemie-kritisch-bewerten-a-99854026.html)
- The commission, established by the German Bundestag to investigate the government's response to the coronavirus pandemic, will also scrutinize the procurement of vaccines and other critical goods like masks and protective clothing, aligning with the SPD's focus on learning from the pandemic experience.
- As the commission delves into the impacts of lockdowns and restrictions on Germany’s economy and population, it will also assess medical-conditions related to the coronavirus, seeking to provide valuable insights for future policy-and-legislation in health-and-wellness and general-news contexts.
- Furthermore, the commission's mandate encompasses a thorough examination of the role of science in policymaking, highlighting the importance of evidence-based decisons in vocational training, economics, and other areas, given the European Commission's emphasis on lifelong learning and skills development.
