Jens Spahn Faces Criticism Over Ongoing Costs from Mask Purchases

The ongoing financial implications of mask procurement during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to draw scrutiny, particularly towards Jens Spahn, the former Health Minister of Germany. Despite the passage of time since the initial purchases, the federal government is still grappling with substantial follow-up costs associated with the acquisition of protective masks.

According to a report by the Federal Court of Auditors submitted to the Bundestag's Budget Committee, there remains a significant stockpile of 800 million masks as of 2024, for which no effective distribution strategy has been established. The expenses related to managing this excess procurement have surged by EUR57 million, totaling EUR517 million in 2024. Projections for the current year indicate an allocation of EUR45 million, with an anticipated total expenditure of EUR67.3 million for the years 2026 and 2027. This figure includes costs for storage, logistics, destruction of unused supplies, external consultancy, and legal advice.

Spahn is under increasing pressure due to the procurement strategies employed by the Health Ministry during his tenure. In 2020, the Ministry engaged directly in the procurement process, entering into fixed-price contracts without prior negotiations, which led to disputes with suppliers over unaccepted deliveries. The Federal Court of Auditors highlighted that the Ministry spent approximately EUR5.9 billion on 5.8 billion masks, yet only 1.7 billion were distributed domestically. Consequently, a significant portion of the procured masks had to be destroyed or remains pending destruction.

Paula Piechotta, a budgetary spokesperson for the Green party, emphasized the need for transparency, stating that the public deserves clarity regarding the financial damages incurred from these mask deals.

In response to the looming possibility of an inquiry, Spahn expressed a calm demeanor, asserting that he does not fear such proceedings. He suggested that an investigative committee would be a more effective means for resolution rather than facing a public inquiry. He defended his actions during the pandemic, arguing that decisions made during that time should be contextualized within the crisis and criticized what he described as malicious allegations against him.

Health Minister Nina Warken also defended the decision to redact certain information from a report by special investigator Margaretha Sudhof, asserting that the redactions were made to protect personal rights and ongoing investigations, not to shield Spahn. The Health Ministry had forwarded the Sudhof report to the Bundestag with significant portions obscured. However, subsequent investigations by several media outlets revealed that Spahn had played a crucial role in the mask procurement process, allegedly leading to inflated purchasing costs, favoring associates, and neglecting proper needs assessments. Spahn has denied all allegations of impropriety.

Warken reiterated her commitment to following proper protocols regarding the report's sensitive content, maintaining that Spahn's direct involvement was necessary given the urgent demand for protective gear during the pandemic.

As discussions continue regarding the implications of the mask procurement strategy, further inquiries and testimonies are expected in the upcoming sessions of the Bundestag's Budget and Health Committees.