Public opinion shows that only a fifth of the population perceives Jens Spahn as reliable.
Recent survey results have revealed a significant decline in the public's trust towards Jens Spahn, the CDU politician and current faction leader. The data, published on ntv.de, shows that 75% of Germans find Spahn not very or not at all trustworthy, with only 2% finding him very trustworthy and 18% mostly trustworthy.
This decline in trust can be attributed to a series of controversies that have arisen during Spahn's tenure as Germany's Health Minister, particularly concerning the procurement of COVID-19 masks and a related judge election controversy.
The mask procurement controversy centres around the health ministry’s decision to acquire large quantities of masks through an "Open-House" procurement process without competitive bidding. This process led to around 700 contracts worth approximately €6.4 billion, far exceeding the original budget of €1.2 billion. The high fixed prices without negotiation, combined with quality issues and delivery delays, have resulted in legal disputes and potential multi-billion euro liabilities for the government.
A 2025 report by special investigator Margarethe Sudhof further reinforced criticisms that a logistics firm distributing the masks was selected without competition and failed to manage the task adequately. Despite Chancellor Friedrich Merz publicly defending Spahn and supporting his crisis decisions, these ongoing legal and political battles have contributed to a decline in public trust.
Spahn has also been embroiled in controversy related to a judge election issue, though details are less prominent. Internal dissent within the CDU/CSU over these scandals has further marred his reputation and contributed to a broader narrative of mistrust.
These controversies have strained relations within the governing coalition and the CDU, casting a shadow over Chancellor Merz’s attempts to stabilize government trust and coherence. The mask scandal has become a focal point for opposition and media criticism, impacting Spahn's standing and the public's confidence in his leadership during the pandemic crisis.
Sources: [1] ntv.de [2] Spiegel Online [3] Deutsche Welle [4] Der Spiegel
Community policy changes, such as implementing vocational training programs, could help revitalize Jens Spahn's public image, as his current standing is negatively influenced by controversies related to politics, general-news (specifically the mask procurement controversy), and crime-and-justice (the judge election issue). Vocational training could offer a fresh perspective and demonstrate a commitment to addressing pressing issues, potentially regaining the public's trust.
However, ongoing legal battles, political criticism, and internal dissent within the CDU/CSU continue to pose challenges for Spahn, further straining relations within the governing coalition. Overcoming these hurdles will be crucial for Spahn to restore his credibility and effectively lead during the ongoing pandemic crisis.
