"Never Again" - Spahn Defends Mask Purchases Amid Criticism
Spahn justifies mask acquisitions due to financial risks involved
In a crisp, straightforward conversation, CDU faction leader Jens Spahn dismisses allegations against him regarding costly mask purchases and logistics contracts during his stint as health minister. "In a crisis, having something is more important than needing it. It was a centennial crisis and an exceptional situation. Everything was scarce. Everyone said: 'Get it, no matter the cost.' Of course, we took on financial risks," Spahn asserted in a Table.Today podcast.
These allegations stem from a report by Süddeutscher Zeitung, WDR, and NDR, which have obtained a previously confidential report by special investigator Margarethe Sudhof on expensive mask purchases at the beginning of the Corona pandemic. According to the report, Spahn supposedly favored a Westphalian company for mask logistics without a competitive bidding process.
As a response, the Greens and the Left have demanded explanations. Green faction leader Britta Haßelmann urged CDU's current health minister, Nina Warken, to promptly and transparently share the report with parliament. Meanwhile, Christian Görke, parliamentary business manager of the Left faction, expressed the need for the report to be made public to reveal the mess and damage left behind by Spahn as a minister.
In the interview with Table.Today, Spahn argues that details now public have been known for "three or four years." Regarding the allegation of favoring Fiege Company for mask logistics, Spahn admits to initially reaching out to trusted contacts during an emergency to ask for help. He insists that procuring masks without a tendering process was necessary due to the crisis situation and the fact that Fiege had a well-devised pandemic response plan at the time.
Spahn expects the Sudhof report to be published soon, but he remains optimistic, stating,"I am sure that the ministry will evaluate the report and transparently inform the Bundestag and the public about it. I have no doubts about that." He admits that the procedure used to order masks at a fixed price of 4.50 euros was not ideal and would not be repeated. Nevertheless, he defends the rationale behind it, as they explored all other available channels at the time, unsure if they would even receive offers.
Sources: ntv.de, mpe/dpa
CDU Minister Masks Scandal Pandemic Health Ministry Controversy Germany Crisis Management
- Despite criticism from political parties such as the Greens and the Left, CDU Minister Jens Spahn defends his mask purchases and logistics contracts, citing the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic and a centennial crisis, particularly when it comes to employment policy within health-and-wellness, science, and general-news sectors.
- In the face of allegations of favoritism towards the Fiege Company for mask logistics, Spahn justifies his initial outreach to trusted contacts during the emergency as a necessary response to the crisis situation, given the company's well-prepared pandemic response plan, thereby impacting employment policy in EC countries.
