The German Parliament (Bundestag) plans to establish a Commission dedicated to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis

The German Parliament (Bundestag) plans to establish a Commission dedicated to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis

In a bid to learn from the past and prepare for future pandemics, the German Bundestag has agreed to establish an inquiry commission to scrutinise the country's response to the Corona pandemic. The commission, titled "Processing of the Corona pandemic and lessons for future pandemic events," will aim to regain lost public trust, provide knowledge, and offer recommendations for action to improve Germany's pandemic readiness.

The commission, which will consist of 14 members of parliament and 14 experts, will undertake a comprehensive examination of the government's measures and overall strategy during the pandemic. This includes evaluating pandemic preparedness and response mechanisms, assessing public trust and political accountability, and formulating policy recommendations for future pandemic readiness.

The commission will delve into various aspects such as early detection, crisis management, legal framework, parliamentary control, measures against the spread of the virus, vaccinations, support for companies and the labour market, effects on culture, tourism, volunteers, and associations. It will also address the political and societal impact of the pandemic and the government’s communication and crisis management strategies.

Public hearings with experts, stakeholders, and affected parties will be held, and expert opinions will be sought. The commission will also consider conducting an "age-appropriate survey" of children and youth to gather their perspectives. Intermediate reports on completed aspects are possible, allowing for earlier parliamentary and political consideration.

The commission reflects Germany’s intent to build a more resilient public health infrastructure and crisis response framework based on detailed, bipartisan analysis of the recent pandemic experience. The inquiry commission was agreed upon in the coalition agreement between the Union and SPD, and the German Bundestag is set to decide on its establishment.

The French word "enquête," meaning investigation and interrogation, is associated with the commission. Experts will be nominated in agreement, with involvement of states and municipalities, ensuring balanced representation of scientific disciplines and societal areas. All members of the commission can submit individual opinions, and minutes of the meetings will be published if the commission did not meet in public.

The commission's mandate is not limited to the COVID-19 crisis. It also encompasses the AfD's demand for a parliamentary committee of inquiry and the inclusion of citizens' perspectives and experiences through public formats. The pandemic has confronted citizens, civil society, state institutions, companies, art, and culture with challenges "of historic and unprecedented magnitude since World War II" from 2019 to 2023.

The commission's ultimate goal is to submit a comprehensive final report with findings and recommendations for action to the Bundestag by June 30, 2027. This report is crucial to draw reliable conclusions for the future, taking into account that all measures and decisions can only be evaluated in the context of the information available at the time. The commission's scope and objectives underscore the importance of learning from the past to better prepare for future crises.

1. This inquiry commission, known as the "Processing of the Corona pandemic and lessons for future pandemic events," will delve into medical-conditions, health-and-wellness aspects of the government's response, including vaccinations and measures against the spread of the virus.
2. The commission will also examine policy-and-legislation issues related to the pandemic, such as the legal framework, parliamentary control, and crisis management strategies, and offer recommendations for future pandemic readiness.
3. In addition, the commission will investigate the political impact of the pandemic and the government’s communication strategies, as well as the societal effect on various areas like culture, tourism, volunteers, and associations, reflecting the general-news and societal implications of the crisis.

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