Corona processing: Millions of follow-up costs for mask purchases | Stern.de

The controversial mask purchases at the beginning of the Corona crisis 2020 still cost the federal government millions. The follow -up costs for the administration of the “over -procurement” would have increased by a further 57 million euros to 517 million euros in 2024, according to a report by the Federal Audit Office to the Bundestag’s budget committee. The committee wants to listen to the special investigator Margaretha Sudhof this Tuesday. Greens and the left tightened their criticism of the then health minister Jens Spahn (CDU).

“For the still usable residual stocks of 800 million protective masks in 2024, there is no distribution concept,” says the report of the Auditors to the development of the health budget, which is available to the German Press Agency. First the “Spiegel” reported about it. Follow -up costs of 45 million euros are provided for 2025. For 2026 and 2027, foreseeable obligations such as warehouse, logistics, annihilation, external advice and legal advice will be expected with expenditure of 67.3 million euros.

Half of the procured masks not used

According to the Federal Audit Office, the Ministry spent around 5.9 billion euros for 5.8 billion masks by 2024. The authority reaffirmed its criticism of “massive oversprocation”. Ultimately, only 1.7 billion masks were distributed domestically. More than half of the amount procured had been destroyed or it still has to be. In addition, the Ministry for 2025 with settlement risks from contracts for direct procurement of up to 120 million euros and 360 million euros from litigation.

The disputes are about a procurement method with which Spahn’s Ministry of Ministry in 2020 had switched on in order to get urgently needed but tight masks. For this, delivery contracts were received without further negotiations at fixed high prices. Suppliers complained about then not removed. Currently, around 100 lawsuits with a total dispute of 2.3 billion euros are still pending, explains the Court of Auditors.

Green and left-wing advertisements at SPD for U-Committee

The green household expert Paula Piechotta said: “In view of billions of bills, the public has the right to clarify the masking deals.” Greens and the left again appealed to the SPD to clear the path for an investigation committee. The two opposition factions alone do not come to the necessary 25 percent, a common procedure with the AfD they reject. Green parliamentary group manager Irene Mihalic told the “Stern”: “If the SPD refuses to vote, she stands protectively from Jens Spahn and against the minority right of Parliament.”

The pressure on today’s Union faction leader had increased after a report that was initially partly illegally made by the special investigator Sudhof became known unwoved. From the perspective of the Greens and the Left, the report shows that Spahn was closely involved in masking shops. The current minister Nina Warken (CDU) once again justified the blackening with reference to ongoing processes and confidentiality obligations. “We didn’t do it to protect Jens Spahn,” she said on ZDF.

Spahn complains of malignant allegations

Spahn complained of malignant allegations in the debate about his person. “I hope that my actions will be assessed in the context of the emergency. We were completely unprepared,” the CDU politician told the “star”. “Instead, five years later, standards are created as if there had been no pandemy of the century, and viciously constructed allegations.” When asked whether he was afraid of a U-committee, Spahn said: “No.”

However, the Union rejects an investigation committee. Group Managing Director Steffen Bilger (CDU) pointed out that the black and red coalition is planning an Enquete Commission of the Bundestag during the Corona period. “An investigation committee, which is only occupied by politicians, is a classic instrument of the opposition,” he told the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”. The Commission, on the other hand, could work with experts factually and non -partisan.