A commission of inquiry set up by the Saxon state parliament to investigate the coronavirus pandemic is up and running. It initially consists of 18 members of parliament. The constituent meeting of the committee will also decide who will chair the commission and which experts will be appointed to it.
So far, it consists of seven MPs from the CDU, six from the AfD, two MPs from the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) and one parliamentary group member each from the SPD, the Left and the Greens.
The commission was unanimously set up by the Landtag shortly before Christmas. The MPs approved a motion by the CDU and SPD.
On Thursday, a parliamentary committee of inquiry heard the first experts on the subject. Virologist Hendrik Streeck said that lessons must be learned from this time. He described the coronavirus pandemic as a proxy for other crises, from which a great deal can be learned. In the case of climate change or war, for example, scientific expertise is required and politicians must act relatively quickly.
The committee of inquiry was set up at the instigation of the AfD. Members of the BSW also agreed. "Unlike a committee of inquiry, which goes in search of culprits, the committee of inquiry focuses on factual analysis and improvement. We don't just want to look back, we want to develop future-oriented crisis management that covers all relevant areas - from healthcare and critical infrastructure to daycare centers, schools and social facilities," said SPD politician Simone Lang.
The Enquete Commission is to deal with fundamental questions such as compulsory masks or vaccinations or how to deal with vaccine damage. Essentially, it will analyze the measures taken by the Free State of Saxony and the Saxon municipalities between 2020 and 2023 to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
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