Jens Spahn lived through difficult days.
Now comes the next blow: A sensitive meeting becomes public.
It took place between a corona appeal and a positive test.
Update from February 26th, 9 pm:
“Preaching water and drinking wine” is an accusation that politicians often have to listen to when they violate their own policies.
Health Minister Jens Spahn could now have to put up with this accusation after more and more information is published about a dinner that took place in Leipzig in autumn 2020.
As
reported by
bild.de
, Spahn was invited by his friend Peter Zimmermann to a salon appearance in Leipzig-Plagwitz.
The dozen or so guests at dinner were probably asked by Zimmermann to donate 9,999 euros to the Münsterland 1 constituency after the meal, in order to finance Spahn's general election campaign.
The parties must disclose donations of 10,000 euros or more in reports.
Spahn after the donation dinner under pressure - CDU denies representation of the Ministry of Health
As a participant in the dinner reported to the
Bild newspaper
, Spahn is said to have worn a mask at the beginning, but took it off at the standing reception.
Even when eating, all evening guests sat at the table without masks.
According to further information from those involved, Spahn is said to have put on his mask again only for a souvenir photo.
A day later, the Minister of Health tested positive for the corona virus.
There is also confusion over the role that Spahn played at dinner.
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health said on Friday: "This is an appearance that the Minister of Health made as a member of the CDU Presidium." A spokeswoman for the Union later rejected this representation.
"The federal party is not aware of the date."
Next misery for Spahn: sensitive meeting now public - big meal shortly after the minister's corona appeal
Original message from February 26th:
Berlin / Leipzig - The corona pandemic can only be contained with the help of the people in the country.
Politicians not only emphasize this again and again in Germany - without a doubt truthfully.
Before Christmas, another note that had been valid for a long time had gained in importance: Not everything that the Corona rules allow should be exhausted.
Especially against this background, a new report on a meeting of Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) last autumn is explosive.
The minister - to this day one of the main protagonists in the crisis - did not break any corona rule.
But apparently he took a risk anyway.
Jens Spahn: Controversial meeting in Corona times - dinner with twelve participants
Because one day before his positive Corona test in October, Spahn took
part in a dinner with about a dozen entrepreneurs in Leipzig,
according to a report by
Spiegel
.
The meeting took place in a private apartment of a friend of Spahn, reported the news magazine on Friday.
According to one participant, several guests are said to have donated to the CDU during dinner.
Everyone kept their distance and wore masks until they were seated.
Spahn's parliamentary office confirmed the date to the news magazine.
It was a "private, not public dinner".
The then valid rules for corona protection were "adhered to after confirmation from the host".
The guests of the evening were informed about Spahn's infection after the positive test.
On any donations to Spahn's office against the expressed
levels
not.
Jens Spahn in the criticism: tricky meeting - one day before a positive corona test and shortly after an appeal to fellow citizens
The health minister tested positive for the corona virus on October 21.
At this point in time, the number of cases in Germany increased significantly.
Spahn himself warned people to be cautious at the time: “Above all, we know where the main points of infection are.
Namely when celebrating, while socializing, at home privately or at the event, at the party in the club, ”he said on the morning of dinner on ZDF.
Spahn has had politically difficult days.
First of all, the ambitious CDU minister had to live with a chancellor veto against a rapid test plan.
A little later, allegations about possible "spying on" journalists were made public.
(
AFP / fn
)
Also interesting:
The cautious Chancellor prefers the lockdown: Angela Merkel disempowered and embarrassed Spahn - a comment by
Merkur
editor-in-chief Georg Anastasiadis.