Jens Spahn, the former German health minister, faced scrutiny this week over the possible misuse of public funds in the large-scale procurement of face masks during the pandemic.
He had to answer to questions from the budget committee over why he ordered masks at a very high price and then failed to accept or pay for them. Germany’s government could face payments of some €2.3 billion ($2.7 billion) to health-product manufacturers if courts rule against it in the dozens of lawsuits that have been filed over the issue.
Spahn has defended his actions, though he admitted last year that he should have done things differently.
The heavily redacted version of a report commissioned by Spahn’s successor, , was presented to the budget committee of the Bundestag this week. It stated that Spahn’s procurement decision was made “against the advice of his specialized departments.”
The socialist has called for Spahn to step down from his current role as parliamentary leader of the ruling conservative bloc of and (CDU/CSU), one of the most powerful positions in the Bundestag.
“Anyone who throws our tax money out of the window so carelessly should no longer be allowed to hold an important political office,” said Left Party co-leader Ines Schwerdtner.
Learning for future pandemics
Germany’s governing parties — the CDU/CSU and the center-left — have sought to establish an inquiry commission to investigate actions taken by the government during the pandemic, including lockdowns that had a major impact on the country’s economy. The Left Party had already suggested such a commission last year.
“Firstly, lost trust should be regained through a serious review,” read the party’s motion put to the parliament. “Secondly, to gain insights and recommendations for action that will help us to deal with the pandemic in a more forward-looking, intelligent and effective way before and during a recurring pandemic situation.”
The role of scientists
Among the supporters of such a commission is Hendrik Streeck, who became known as one of Germany’s leading virologists during the pandemic. He went on to win a Bundestag seat for the center-right CDU in Bonn in February this year.
The 47-year-old now sits on the parliamentary health committee and is also the federal commissioner for addiction and drug issues. Streeck considers it “absolutely necessary” to re-examine how the pandemic was handled, since it was the biggest health crisis since , he told DW.
Streeck is hoping to get answers to the question of how scientific advice reaches the government in a crisis like the coronavirus pandemic. “This is an area of tension between science, politics and the public,” the virologist said.
He also wants the new commission to take a critical look at the coordination between the federal and state levels of government. During the pandemic, the leaders of Germany’s 16 states convened with the federal government to agree measures such as imposing complete lockdowns. Streeck doubts that this was the best framework, as it meant that the parliament was often relegated to a limited control function.
A health care worker’s experience
Trained nurse and Left Party Bundestag member Stella Merendino, also a member of the health committee, also wants a review as the basis for lessons to learned for the future. “I experienced the pandemic in a hospital emergency room,” she told DW. “I saw people die alone, while we were not allowed to let them see their relatives.”
The 31-year-old also saw hospital staff collapse from exhaustion and grief. “We worked through shifts without knowing whether we would stay healthy ourselves,” she said. “There was no adequate protective equipment, no psychological support, hardly any recognition and, to this day, no systematic evaluation of what this meant for our staff.”
Merendino also believes that many people were left alone during the pandemic to cope with their economic worries, childcare, and loneliness. “This has fueled anger and mistrust that continues to this day,” she said. “We don’t have to convince everyone, but we have to listen. And as politicians, we must have the courage to admit mistakes.”
Above all, Merendino expects to ensure more support for people who are still suffering from the consequences of COVID-19. “I know nursing staff who are no longer able to work because of Long Covid. Many are fighting for recognition, for medical care, for financial security. And all this in a healthcare system that is already overburdened.”
Meanwhile, Streeck believes that the commission should look beyond Germany’s borders for its reappraisal. “More data, more analysis would help us to get a more accurate picture,” he said.
He is convinced that this would help mitigate the divisions he still sees in society. Streeck says that three groups have formed: “Some who don’t want to deal with it. The others who say: We were too lax, we did too little. And the third, who say: We went far too far.” Everyone has to be taken seriously, says Streeck. “The best thing that can happen is to talk about it.”
The review commission could be set up to start its work after the summer break, in September 2025.
This article was originally written in German.
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