German Politician Defends Former Health Minister Amid Mask Procurement Controversy
In a recent interview with the Rheinische Post, Carsten Linnemann, the general secretary of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), came to the defense of former Health Minister Jens Spahn, who is facing intense criticism over the procurement of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Linnemann accused those behind the latest report of attempting to discredit Spahn, rather than conducting a genuine investigation.
The CDU official emphasized the need to put the crisis of the time into perspective, recalling the scarcity of masks and the high level of uncertainty in the country during the early stages of the pandemic. “Under the pressure of the time, risks were taken and no one is opposed to a transparent investigation” Linnemann acknowledged. However, he added that the focus should be on the lessons learned, rather than on discrediting individuals.
Linnemann praised Spahn’s efforts in navigating the country through the crisis, stating that the former minister had ensured the country’s response to the pandemic. The CDU’s defense of Spahn comes as the politician is facing mounting criticism over a previously undisclosed report on the procurement of face masks, which has sparked widespread scrutiny.