Scandal about mask procurement: Spahn wasted 623 million euros!

Scandal about mask procurement: Spahn wasted 623 million euros!

In the initial phase of the Corona pandemic, the Federal Ministry of Health under Jens Spahn (CDU) applied up to 623 million euros too much for Corona masks. An internal report by the special investigator Margartha Sudhof suggests that the actual expenditure is 156 million euros higher than previously known, which indicates serious mismanagement. Recommended prices from the ministry department were between 2.50 euros and 2.90 euros net per mask, while Spahn enforced a price of 4.50 euros net (5.36 euros gross), which led to massive financial losses. FAZ reported that a total of 1.4 billion euros were paid for 262 million masks, which was paid for a potential saving of 520 million euros opposes.

The overs procurement of masks was also a central problem. A total of 5.7 billion masks were ordered for 5.9 billion euros, many of which had to be destroyed unused. It was reported by the beginning of 2024 that over 50 % of the masks procured masks have already been destroyed. The Federal Audit Office criticized the inefficient procurement and found that the actual need for masks was significantly lower, which continued to lead to mismanagement. Bundeschrungshof emphasizes that more than two thirds of the masks were never used and public control was difficult by defective documentation.

Legal disputes and unclear processes

The amount in dispute in connection with these mask procurement is now 2.3 billion euros after the Cologne Higher Regional Court has rightly agreed with the supplier of Corona protection masks. These decisions indicate a possible case law that could have far -reaching effects on other ongoing procedures. Tagesschau reports that in many cases the health minister did not pay off and invoices, which led to a significant interest rate and cost increase.

The challenges were reinforced by an open house process that was launched in 2020 and provided for a short offer period. The clause for late deliveries that the Ministry had issued was declared invalid. The ministerial processes are now increasingly criticized because unclear processes and price proposals have led to considerable financial damage.

In order to cope with the overall situation, the Federal Ministry of Health is expected to have further expenses of up to 534 million euros by 2024, in particular through ongoing legal disputes. The public and parliamentary processing of the procurement measures is still pending, which makes it difficult for the Ministry to learn from these events and to better prepare for future crises.