Former German Minister of Health Jens Spahn has strongly denied allegations regarding financial dealings related to mask procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Responding to inquiries from “Stern” magazine, Spahn dismissed accusations from members of the Green Party as “defamatory” drawing parallels to tactics previously employed by the AfD party.
Spahn defended his actions during the crisis, asserting that Germany managed the pandemic “better than most other countries in the world”. He argued that standard bureaucratic processes were impractical and inadequate in the initial stages and he refuted claims of concealing information. He suggested the lack of available evidence supporting the accusations indicates their fabricated nature.
Addressing criticism surrounding the procurement of masks, Spahn rejected assertions that he disregarded expert advice. He differentiated between possessing greater knowledge and being compelled to make decisive choices, noting the frequent absence of a unified professional opinion during the emergency. He emphasized that rapid action was preferable to inaction in a crisis and expressed disapproval of any individuals who may have exploited the situation for personal gain.