New allegations in the mask scandal: Spahn's Ministry causes millions of losses!

New allegations in the mask scandal: Spahn's Ministry causes millions of losses!

In the mask scandal around the procurement of Corona masks, new wind comes up. An unpublished report by the special investigator Margaretha Sudhof draws a dark picture of the then Ministry of Health under Jens Spahn. This reports [Ludwigsburg24] (https://www.ludwigsburg24.com/neuevorwuerfe-im-maskenkandal-Spahnsministerium-Ministry-Ministry-Sol-Teure Compensation with), because the excessive test requirements and lack of approval caused the ministry to make high comparison payments to mask suppliers. According to the report, the total cost of overpriced masks should be more than 150 million euros above the previous estimates.

The focus is not just on the processes in the Ministry of Health. The then Ministry of Finance under Olaf Scholz is also criticized, since it did not provide any inquiries about the legal requirements for the use of federal funds. The report throws a light on considerable irregularities in mask procurement, which is often referred to as chaotic, which is also recorded in an internal report by the Ministry of Health. This approximately 170-page report is currently being kept under closure, as https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/ndr-wdr/corona-masken-spahn-spahn-sudhof-bericht-100.html).

high comparison payments and ongoing lawsuits

The mask scandal took a more controversial turn than the Federal Ministry of Health lost to court on the basis of a complaint by the supplier Ilts. It must now pay 85.6 million euros and default interest of 33 million euros. This decision could have a signal effect on around 100 other complaints that date from the Pandemic period. This could lead to a total of up to 2.3 billion euros in taxpayers, warns the [world.

In April 2020, an unlimited decrease in masks for a price of 4.50 euros per FFP2 mask was guaranteed as part of a so-called open house process. However, due to incorrect or late deliveries, the ministry often resigned from the contract without previously setting a period. This was done, citing an "inadmissible partial delivery".

criticism of the procedure of the ministry

Jens Spahn's procedure in this crisis is now very questioned. Critics suspect that the current Minister of Health Nina Warken (CDU) holds the report back to protect her predecessor. Spahn justifies his actions quickly, citing the emergency and the need to act quickly. But many questions remain open. Among other things, the politicians Karsten Klein from the FDP and Paula Piechotta from the Greens are criticizing that it is urgently needed to clarify the processes about mask procurement.

While the controversy continues to worsen and processes against rental contracts and suppliers drag on, it remains to be seen what the next step of the ministry will be. The future of these legal disputes could have a lasting impact on the entire discussion about the Corona measures and the associated financial consequences for the state and taxpayers.