Overview

• Health Minister Karl Lauterbach advocates for a review of Germany's COVID-19 policies focused on learning for future crises, not on blame.
• Lauterbach rejects criticisms that cautious policies were unnecessary, asserting the focus was always on protecting the public.
• Key questions for the review include the medical appropriateness of measures and preventing future polarization in public debate.
• There is disagreement within the coalition on the review process, with the FDP favoring a parliamentary commission and the SPD supporting a citizen council.
• Delays in the review process risk providing political ammunition to opposition parties and leaving societal tensions unresolved.