/image alliance, ZB, Sascha Steinach
Cologne – The federal government has suffered a setback in a dispute with a mask supplier. The Cologne Higher Regional Court (OLG) announced that the federal government had been ordered to pay around 86 million euros plus interest (6 U 101/23).
The action was brought by the trading company ILTS, which participated in a public tender in spring 2020 after the outbreak of the corona pandemic, in which the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) had promised high prices. The federal government then received far more masks than expected from a large number of retailers.
The ministry subsequently refused to accept a large part of the assets. From the point of view of the Cologne Higher Regional Court, this was not legal. The decision could have a certain signaling effect for other similar cases that are still pending. It is not yet legally binding.
The Federal Health Ministry could face billions in costs. This puts the then Federal Health Minister and current opposition politician Jens Spahn of the CDU under pressure. © dpa/aerzteblatt.de