Reflected Image or Duplicate Version - "Spiegel's Reporting": Warken acknowledges potential financial losses in mask production operations
The German government is embroiled in a series of legal battles over the procurement and pricing of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. If courts rule against the government, it could be liable to pay around €2.3 billion ($2.7 billion) to health product manufacturers[1].
These lawsuits have arisen from allegations that the government ordered face masks at exorbitant prices, with former Health Minister Jens Spahn facing criticism for the procurement decisions[1][3]. The allegations include ordering masks against the advice of his specialized departments and later declining to pay for some high-priced masks[1][3].
However, regarding the role of Nina Warken, the parliamentary state secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health, in these cases, no credible information links her directly to these lawsuits or the mask price controversies[1][2][3].
In a recent development, the federal government argues that the high mask prices in 2020 violated public pricing law[4]. It has also been reported that traders cannot now claim the high mask prices from 2020[5].
The total amount in dispute across various legal proceedings is €2.3 billion, but the federal government only has €1.4 billion in "residuals" in its budget[6]. This suggests a difference of €900 million between the total amount in dispute and the available funds in the federal budget[6].
The cases are being heard at various courts, including the Federal Court of Justice, Bonn Regional Court, and Cologne Higher Regional Court[2]. The federal government is involved in 45 cases at the Bonn Regional Court and 41 cases at the Cologne Higher Regional Court[2].
The details of these lawsuits were reported by the "Mirror" newspaper, which cited a Budget Committee meeting at the end of June as its source[2]. The committee meeting protocol was also cited as the source of the information.
As these legal battles continue, the potential financial implications for the German government are significant. The government has ordered a total of 5.7 billion masks, and the outcome of these lawsuits could have far-reaching consequences for its budget and its handling of future crises.
[1] "Germany Faces €2.3 Billion Lawsuit Over Coronavirus Mask Prices." DW.COM, 15 July 2021,
The Commission may be queried about the role of finance in the procurement and pricing of face masks, given the significant legal battles and potential financial implications for the German government. In addition, the business community, politics, and general-news outlets may express interest in the ongoing lawsuits and their potential impact on future crisis management by the government.
