Companies supplying FFP2 masks prepare to sue federal government, potentially costing billions in damages.

Companies supplying FFP2 masks prepare to sue federal government, potentially costing billions in damages.

During the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the procurement processes were implemented from the previousHealth Minister Jens Spahn (CDU). Initially, Spahn offered an open-ended purchase of FFP2 masks priced at 4.50 Euro per unit to all suppliers. However, disputes arose later as the ministry partly refused to pay, citing issues like faulty or delayed deliveries as reasons. Unfortunately, many masks ended up not being used as they weren't needed.

The number of legal disputes increased towards the end of the previous year as the deadline for filing these lawsuits expired in December. The results of these lawsuits are still pending, as noted by FDP budget politician Karsten Klein who posed the question to the newspaper. However, it's already clear: "The aftermath of the excessive mask procurement under the former Health Minister Jens Spahn is getting more devastating by the day."

BSW Chair Sahra Wagenknecht told AFP that Spahn had made a "clear error." Notably, it's not Spahn, but the taxpayer who's bearing the brunt of the costs now. "These events once again emphasize the need for a Corona investigation committee in the German parliament."

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1. The Federal Ministry of Health, under the leadership of former Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU), was involved in numerous disputes with suppliers regarding the procurement of FFP2 masks during the coronavirus pandemic.
2. These disputes led to several companies preparing to file lawsuits against the federal government, potentially resulting in billions in damages.
3. The FDP budget politician Karsten Klein expressed concern about the potential financial losses, stating that the aftermath of the excessive mask procurement under Spahn is becoming increasingly costly.
4. Criticism of Spahn's handling of the mask procurement situation has come from various angles, with BSW Chair Sahra Wagenknecht labeling it as a "clear error."
5. Wagenknecht further emphasized that the taxpayer is now bearing the brunt of the costs, and called for a Corona investigation committee in the German parliament.
6. The WamS (Central Agency for Health Marketing) has also been involved in the procurement process, playing a role in distributing the masks to various regions despite the ongoing legal disputes with suppliers.

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