Agency Report –
Berlin – The designated chair of a parliamentary inquiry into the coronavirus pandemic in Germany, Franziska Hoppermann, said the commission will aim for a thorough, honest and balanced review of Germany’s crisis years.
“We want to understand, not to blame,” the lawmaker told dpa ahead of the panel’s inaugural meeting on Monday. “We will critically examine decisions and processes that may have made sense at the time and identify mistakes. But we also want to highlight what worked well.”
Hoppermann stressed that the goal is to better prepare for future crises by learning from past decisions. She said international comparisons show that Germany fared well economically and in public health, but “assuming there are no lessons to be learned would be reckless and irresponsible.”
The commission, established by a broad parliament majority in July, will include 14 lawmakers and 14 external experts. Bundestag President Julia Klöckner is also expected to attend the inaugural session. The panel is tasked with delivering a report with recommendations for future crises by mid-2027.
Hoppermann said the commission will carefully examine state actions and societal impacts during the pandemic. She highlighted the need for consensus rather than partisan disputes and said the involvement of experts as full members of the panel is essential to produce a comprehensive assessment.
“Together, we will create a comprehensive, honest, and balanced picture of the period – so that we can draw the right conclusions and move forward as a stronger society.” In the previous parliamentary term, a major federal-level review of the measures and restrictions was not carried out.
