Green Party Demands Publication of Mask Procurement Report: "Transparency Essential for Accountability"
Scandalous Actions: Refusal to Unveil Mask Procurement Investigation Report Denounced
Social Media Email Print Copy Link The Green Party is pushing for the immediate release of the internal investigation report regarding mask procurement by former Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU). Green parliamentary group leader Britta Haßelmann stated to AFP on Sunday that the report should be presented to parliament in its entirety and uncensored. Haßelmann labeled the current Minister Nina Warken (CDU)'s withholding of the report as "scandalous".
"The burn of billions in taxpayer money during mask procurement is inexcusable," Haßelmann noted, expressing concern that the financial loss could surpass that of the controversial car toll under former Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer (CSU). The Green party leader emphasized the need to clarify the responsibility for decisions and contract awards during the COVID pandemic, especially those made by Jens Spahn as Health Minister.
Reports from NDR, WDR, and "Süddeutsche Zeitung" on Friday suggest that Spahn is heavily criticized in the 170-page report by special commissioner Margaretha Sudhoff, appointed by the former Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD). Spahn held the Health Minister position from the pandemic's outbreak until the end of 2021.
The criticism is centered around Spahn's decision to award a contract worth 1.5 billion euros for mask procurement to a logistics company, Fiege, based in his home state of North Rhine-Westphalia without a tender. This was despite warnings from the Federal Ministry of the Interior regarding Fiege, as reported by the "Süddeutsche Zeitung". There were also objections within the government's COVID crisis team, which Spahn allegedly disregarded.
The failed procurement project is believed to have resulted in a billion-dollar loss for the federal government, with many masks eventually being destroyed, according to reports in "SZ". The criticism also extends to the procurement of protective clothing and disinfectants. The Sudhoff report has been in the hands of the media since April 2025 but has yet to be made public.
Official information on the internal investigation report is scarce. However, the lack of transparency around the report's findings can undermine public trust in government accountability during critical times like a pandemic. Post-pandemic evaluations are crucial to improve our response to future crises, especially when substantial public resources are at stake.
Source: ntv.de, afp
In the midst of the Green Party's demand for the immediate publication of the mask procurement report, questions about accountability and transparency in policy-and-legislation are raised, with particular focus on community policy and employment policy, given the allegations against former Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU). The science community, health-and-wellness enthusiasts, and general news outlets are closely monitoring the unfolding events, highlighting the importance of policy-and-legislation and the need for openness in government, especially during times of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. The withholding of the report by the current Minister Nina Warken (CDU) has been labeled as "scandalous," emphasizing the significance of transparency for accountability.
