Pressure is mounting within the German Bundestag as the Green Party and the Left Party urge the Social Democratic Party (SPD) to facilitate the establishment of an investigative committee regarding the “Masks Affair.
Irene Mihalic, First Parliamentary Managing Director of the Green Party, stated to “Stern” magazine that securing the committee’s formation hinges solely on the SPD’s agreement. She emphasized that those genuinely committed to transparency should refrain from making excuses. Mihalic cautioned that a refusal by the SPD would be perceived as shielding Jens Spahn and undermining the rights of parliamentary minorities.
Mihalic further criticized the findings within the recently declassified Sudhof report, which she described as revealing “a web of lobby payments and ministerial errors”. She suggested the report raises concerns that Health Minister Lauter may have intentionally redacted passages to obscure Jens Spahn’s involvement, a situation she believes can only be fully clarified through a parliamentary inquiry.
Heidi Reichinnek, parliamentary group leader of the Left Party, told the magazine that the handling of the case by the Union parties is damaging their credibility. She asserted that it should be a matter of course, given the potential for a billion-euro loss as a result of these dubious agreements, to accept responsibility and support the establishment of the investigative committee.
Reichinnek added that if the Union does not agree, the SPD is obligated to act decisively to mitigate further erosion of public trust in politics. The forthcoming appearance of special investigator Sudhof before the Budget Committee, where she will reportedly further detail Spahn’s potential role, was welcomed by Reichinnek, who underscored the public’s rightful expectation of swift clarification and transparency.
