Markus Lanz critiques Jens Spahn's statement
Unmasking the Mask Affair: Jens Spahn Faces the Heat
Former Health Minister Jens Spahn is under scrutiny yet again, this time due to the so-called mask affair. On Wednesday night, Spahn sat down with Markus Lanz (ZDF) and discussed the unpublished investigative report implicating him in wasting billions during the procurement of COVID-19 masks. Journalist Anna Lehmann brought up the fact that there were indeed "warnings and indications" - even from Spahn's own ministry - but the CDU politician remained tight-lipped.
On "Markus Lanz", Spahn defended his actions during the mask affair, stating that in the heat of a pandemic, everyone was scrambling to secure masks. He argued, "What would have been the alternative? Not to act, to wait?" Lanz understood the pressure but accused Spahn of an unwillingness to address the issue. "It creates a very strange feeling... of shady dealings," said the ZDF host.
Spahn argued that he was unaware of the specifics of the special report and its sources. He explained that he would have to wait for an examination by Warken for data protection, privacy rights, and legal risks before he could read the report. Lanz, growing frustrated, retorted, "Herr Spahn, that's a joke!" He pointed out that as a CDU member, it was important for Spahn to ensure the report's public availability.
Tensions rose when Lanz warned that the situation could give the impression that "everyone is in cahoots." Spahn, however, maintained that the report would be prepared and made public. His response left Lanz speechless once more. When Spahn mentioned that certain parts of the report needed to be blacked out, Lanz sarcastically commented, "A report about a report, it's absurd."
The unpublished special report by investigator Margaretha Sudhof accuses Spahn of serious negligence in the handling of mask procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report alleges that Spahn disregarded expert recommendations and procurement warnings, resulting in a flawed purchasing strategy with significant financial waste[3]. The "mask affair" is part of a broader scandal involving politicians and mask deals, but Spahn's case is highlighted for neglect in decision-making and procurement processes[3].
Catch the full "Markus Lanz" show at https://kurz.zdf.de/LANZ/.
In the midst of the "mask affair," Jens Spahn, the former Health Minister, found himself under scrutiny for his role in the procurement of COVID-19 masks, a matter that falls under the umbrella of policy-and-legislation and politics, as seen in the general news. During a discussion on "Markus Lanz," Spahn defended his actions, arguing that everyone was scrambling to secure masks amidst the pandemic. However, accusations were made regarding his neglect in decision-making and procurement processes, which led to financial waste, a point that was raised in an unpublished investigative report by Margaretha Sudhof.
