Consultation on the draft directive has been undertaken by the Commission as well.
Rewriting the Article:
Five years have passed since the Corona pandemic shattered our world, and the coalition in Germany's Parliament - the Union and SPD - is ready to take a hard look back. They're assembling an Enquete Commission to examine the government's responses and the flaws that surfaced during those challenging times. Dagmar Schmidt, the SPD's parliamentary vice-president, calls it a crucial step, saying, "We're digging, we're listening, and we're learning."
The pandemic, she notes, left an indelible mark on families, care workers, self-employed individuals, and countless others in German society. That's why it's about more than just a simple review; it's about understanding what went right and what went wrong. And learning from those mistakes is key.
Albert Stegemann, deputy head of the Union faction, underscores the need for a non-partisan review. "Only then can we draw the necessary lessons to prepare ourselves better for future crises," he explains.
This examination will have a far-reaching impact, affecting every citizen. Therefore, scientists, experts, interest groups, and those directly impacted will play a crucial role in the commission's work. Experts from various fields, along with parliament members, will make up the commission, fostering a collaborative environment that aims for consensus.
The establishment of the Enquete Commission was already outlined in the coalition agreement between CDU, CSU, and SPD. Compared to investigative committees, such commissions focus more on collaboration and consultation, ultimately resulting in a final report with recommendations for potential legislation changes[1].
According to recent reports, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier encouraged this review to rebuild the public's trust in democracy, which took a hit during the pandemic handling. The commission will conduct its assessment after the 2025 federal election, looking back on the entire pandemic period with the aim to learn lessons and improve crisis response strategies for the future[1][2].
- The Enquete Commission, established as part of the coalition agreement between CDU, CSU, and SPD, will delve into policy-and-legislation and politics related to the government's response to the Corona pandemic, with a focus on understanding what went right and what went wrong, in an effort to improve crisis response strategies for the future.
- As the pandemic affected various segments of German society, general news coverage will closely monitor the Enquete Commission's work, paying particular attention to insights from scientists, experts, interest groups, and those directly impacted, as their contributions are critical to creating a comprehensive review and potential policy changes.
