Spahn justifies mask prices as substantial

Spahn's Mask Purchase Defense Amidst Scrutiny

Spahn defends justification for expensive mask offerings. - Spahn justifies mask prices as substantial

Jens Spahn, leader of the Union faction, disagrees with accusations regarding costly mask purchases and logistics contracts during his time as health minister. "In a crisis, having is more important than needing. This was a once-in-a-century crisis and an exceptional situation. Everything was scarce. Everyone said: 'Get it, no matter the cost.' Of course, we took on financial risks," Spahn stated in the Table.Today podcast.

This statement comes in response to a report by "Süddeutsche Zeitung," WDR, and NDR that reveals details from a previously confidential report by special investigator Margarethe Sudhof on expensive mask purchases at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. The report alleges Spahn favored a local Westphalian company for mask logistics without a competitive bidding process.

In light of this controversy, calls for clarification have been made by parties like the Greens and the Left, who have demanded that the current health minister, Nina Warken, present the report to parliament immediately and unredacted.

Spahn defends his actions, asserting that the details in question have been known for over three years. Regarding the accusation about favoring Fiege for mask logistics, Spahn stated, "Of course, I first spoke to people I knew in an emergency to ask who could help. And yes, we did everything without tendering. How could that have worked with a tendering procedure that takes three or six months? Fiege had a ready-made concept for dealing with the pandemic at the time," Spahn explained.

Spahn anticipates that the Sudhof report will be made public. "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." However, Spahn now criticizes the process of ordering masks at a fixed price of €4.50, stating, "I would never do such a procedure again, and I cannot recommend it to anyone."

• Jens Spahn
• Coronavirus
• Mask
• CDU
• Logistics
• Berlin
• WDR
• NDR

Insights

• The controversial matter of Jens Spahn's handling of coronavirus mask procurement during the pandemic has re-emerged due to a special investigator's report.
• The leak of parts of the report has prompted calls for increased transparency and accountability regarding the government's handling of the pandemic.
• There are concerns about the legality and transparency of the mask procurement process, potentially impacting Spahn's legacy and the credibility of the German government.

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