Press reviews
End of the epidemic situation
“Spahn’s statements are evidence of arrogance, but also of underhandedness”
Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU)
© Emmanuele Contini // Picture Alliance
Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU) has spoken out in favor of an end to the epidemic situation in Germany – and has thus initiated a controversial debate. Out of calculation? The press reviews.
After one and a half years, the nationwide state of emergency corona should end in Germany, says Minister of Health Jens Spahn. In doing so, he sparked a broad debate. He was greeted by representatives of doctors and clinics. The FDP also reaffirmed its longstanding position of not extending the so-called “epidemic situation of national importance”. The SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach and the German Foundation for Patient Protection warned against such a step with a view to the winter.
The proposal is also being discussed controversially among commentators. “Jens Spahn’s approach is correct,” said the “Augsburger Allgemeine”. The “Schwäbische Zeitung” points out “how difficult the corona situation still is.” The “Ludwigsburger Kreiszeitung” commented that behind all of this there could also be a calculation “to drive a wedge between the potential traffic light coalition partners”. The press reviews.
End of the Corona emergency: the media coverage
“New Osnabrück Newspaper”: “Health Minister Spahn’s proposal to end the Corona emergency in five weeks is to be welcomed. It may be that some could misinterpret such a decision as Freedom Day and take caution. But it is also possible that the one or the other can still be vaccinated beforehand. With his proposal, Spahn has succeeded in getting the Ampel coalitionaries into trouble. The FDP has long wanted to end the state of emergency. The Greens are in favor of adhering to precautionary measures. The SPD in turn wanted to attach conditions to the extension of the emergency as early as the summer, which Spahn then did not implement. Now it looks as if it is on the brakes. “
“Augsburger Allgemeine”: “Jens Spahn’s approach is correct. Corona has lost its horror, there is no longer any threat of overloading the health system, we are learning to live with the virus. That is why the legal state of emergency, which forms the basis for massively restricting fundamental rights, must end . At the end of November the ‘epidemic emergency of national scope’ expires – and the new Bundestag should be careful not to extend it again. “
“Ludwigsburger Kreiszeitung”: “The statements of Health Minister Jens Spahn testify to arrogance, but also to underhandedness. By raising this question, Spahn is trying to drive a wedge between the potential traffic light coalitionists. Because he knows that the FDP is on one side, while the Greens, but above all the SPD, are in no hurry to proclaim the end of the pandemic, so to speak. A corresponding vote in the Bundestag could make the future government alliance look old even before signing a red-green-yellow contract. That would be entirely to the taste of the Union. However, the Corona issue is too serious for such games. “
“Südwest Presse” (Ulm): “The danger for society as a whole has become manageable. There is therefore no longer any need for legal abbreviations in the pandemic. It is high time to reduce the powers of the federal and state governments to normal levels. And so it will probably come at the end of November. the ‘situation’ is running out. However: That shouldn’t mean a real ‘Freedom Day’, i.e. the lifting of all restrictions, politicians don’t dare to do that yet. “
“Swabian Newspaper” (Ravensburg): “The fact that Health Minister Jens Spahn also speaks out in favor of an end to the ‘epidemic situation’ at the end of his term of office seems a bit funny. In future, he will probably decide as a simple opposition member on the corona powers of the new federal government. Yes That is only marginally. Spahn has quite rightly started a debate about how much emergency there is still due to the pandemic. However, the breadth of reactions to Spahn’s proposal shows how difficult the corona situation still is Corona policy should remain so differentiated. “
“North Bavarian Courier” (Bayreuth): “Even if winter is approaching and people will spend more time indoors: Many countries have long since taken precautionary measures with tiered concepts. So it would be neither premature nor irresponsible if the Bundestag let the emergency run out – and the states a legal one There would be a basis to be able to impose restrictions such as the mask requirement if this becomes necessary. “