Overview
- The Bundestag’s Corona Enquete Commission questioned Jens Spahn on Monday in a rare public hearing, with special investigator Margaretha Sudhof and a Federal Audit Office representative also appearing.
- In a written statement to the panel, the audit office said the Health Ministry has not critically addressed mass overprocurement, lacks a legal basis for a proposed national reserve, and still has not secured protective‑equipment supply.
- Under Spahn in spring 2020 the ministry bought about 5.7–5.8 billion masks for roughly €5.9 billion, with more than 3.4 billion destroyed or earmarked for disposal and substantial storage and handling costs recorded.
- Roughly 100 supplier lawsuits remain pending with claims around €2.3 billion, and total exposure could top €3.5 billion depending on higher‑court rulings expected in the next two years.
- Spahn argued rapid, extraordinary buying was necessary during a global shortage, saying it should cost money rather than lives, as Greens and the Left demanded full transparency and renewed calls for a parliamentary inquiry.