Corona masks: “Overprocurement” still costs millions

The controversial mask purchases at the beginning of the 2020 coronavirus crisis are still costing the federal government millions. The follow-up costs for administering the "overprocurement" increased by a further 57 million euros in 2024, to the current total of 517 million euros, according to a report by the Federal Court of Auditors to the Bundestag's Budget Committee. The committee plans to hear testimony from special investigator Margaretha Sudhof this Tuesday.

The Greens and the Left Party intensified their criticism of then-Health Minister Jens Spahn ( CDU ). "There is no distribution plan for the remaining usable stocks of 800 million protective masks in 2024," states the Court of Auditors' report on the development of the health budget, which was obtained by the German Press Agency. Follow-up costs of €45 million are planned for 2025. For 2026 and 2027, expenditures of €67.3 million are expected for foreseeable obligations alone, such as storage, logistics, destruction, external consulting, and legal advice.

According to the Federal Audit Office , the ministry spent approximately €5.9 billion on 5.8 billion masks by 2024. The agency reiterated its criticism of "massive overprocurement." Ultimately, only 1.7 billion masks were distributed domestically. More than half of the procured quantity was destroyed or will be destroyed in the future. Furthermore, the ministry expects settlement risks from direct procurement contracts of up to €120 million in 2025, as well as €360 million from legal disputes.

The dispute concerns a procurement method that Spahn's ministry used in 2020 to procure urgently needed but scarce masks. It entered into supply contracts at fixed, high prices without further negotiations. Suppliers subsequently filed lawsuits because the masks were not accepted. Currently, around 100 lawsuits with a total value of €2.3 billion are still pending, according to the Court of Auditors.

Green Party budget expert Paula Piechotta said: "Given the billions in damages, the public has a right to clarification of the mask deals." The Greens and the Left Party again appealed to the SPD to clear the way for a committee of inquiry. The two opposition factions alone cannot achieve the necessary 25 percent, and they reject a joint approach with the AfD. Green Party parliamentary group manager Irene Mihalic told Stern magazine : "If the SPD refuses its votes, it is protecting Jens Spahn and opposing parliamentary minority rights."

Pressure on the current CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader increased after a report by special investigator Sudhof, initially partially rendered illegible, was released unredacted following investigations by Süddeutsche Zeitung, WDR, and NDR . From the perspective of the Greens and the Left Party, the report shows that Spahn was closely involved in mask deals. Current Minister Nina Warken (CDU) again justified the redactions, citing ongoing legal proceedings and confidentiality obligations. "We didn't do it to protect Jens Spahn," she said on ZDF.

Spahn complained about malicious accusations in the debate surrounding him. "I hope that my actions will be evaluated in the context of the emergency at the time. We were completely unprepared," the CDU politician told Stern magazine. "Instead, now, five years later, standards are being applied as if there had never been a pandemic of the century, and malicious accusations are being fabricated." When asked whether he was afraid of a committee of inquiry, Spahn said, "No." The CDU/CSU, however, rejects a committee of inquiry.