Consulted on Draft Directive by the Commission
Take a gander at this fresh spin on the recent news:
Now, five years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Union and SPD in Germany's Bundestag plan to dive deep into a review of measures and oversights with the formation of an Enquete Commission. This joint endeavor, backed by both factions, is a clear signal for learning, growth, and healing, according to SPD parliamentary vice-president, Dagmar Schmidt.
Schmidt struck an optimistic note, emphasizing that "We're not just looking; we're listening, we're learning. The COVID-19 pandemic was a watershed moment for families, children, caregivers, freelancers, and countless others in our society." To really understand, they'll be scrutinizing what worked, what didn't, and embracing the lessons.
Joining Schmidt, Albert Stegemann, deputy head of the Union faction, expressed the importance of a non-partisan evaluation to ensure the right lessons are gleaned for future crises. He stressed that "Science, experts, interest groups, and every voice affected will be a vital part of the commission's work."
First proposed in the coalition agreement between CDU, CSU, and SPD, this Enquete Commission differs from a committee of inquiry, instead fostering consensus through the involvement of parliamentary representatives and experts from academia and practice. The final result: a report brimming with recommendations for legislation, based on an unbiased, holistic examination of the pandemic response.
Here's the skinny on what the Enquete Commission aims to accomplish:- Investigate the pandemic's genesis and unfolding effects on German society.- Assess the societal consequences and evaluate government responses in terms of efficacy, legality, and proportionality.- Scrutinize the impact on marginalized or vulnerable groups.- Examine the institutional responsibilities during the response, identifying missed opportunities for improvement.- Assess the procurement processes for crucial resources like PPE, focusing on transparency, legality, cost-efficiency, and speed.- Hear from various political actors and civil society to promote a fair and comprehensive understanding of pandemic management.- Ultimately, the goal is not just accumulating facts, but rebuilding trust in democratic institutions by addressing past flaws openly.
The commission, consisting of fourteen parliamentary representatives and an equal number of experts from a variety of disciplines, is a response to the consensus reached by the SPD and CDU/CSU in mid-2025. This initiative echoes the calls for a post-pandemic review from political leaders, including President Steinmeier, in an effort to learn, adapt, and strengthen public trust. [1][2][3]
1.: The Enquete Commission, formed by the SPD and Union in Germany's Bundestag, will delve into the food policies and legislation during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to identify areas where improvements can be made to ensure a more resilient and supportive food system in future crises.
2.: As part of the Enquete Commission's investigation, they will scrutinize the government's responses to the pandemic, including the procurement process for essential resources like PPE, with a focus on transparency, legality, cost-efficiency, and speed – a crucial aspect of not only general news but also politics and policy-and-legislation.
