https://www.bild.de/politik/inland/politik-inland/mit-diesem-spahn-brief-begann-das-impfstoff-desaster-bei-der-eu-74734176.bild.html
https://archive.is/OdP0d
This Spahn (Germany) letter started the vaccine disaster at the EU
Here's how Merkel and von der Leyen urged the health minister to cede the vaccine mandate to the EU
It is THE central document in the vaccine disaster!
A letter proving how Health Minister Jens Spahn (40, CDU) and his counterparts from France, Italy and the Netherlands had to cede the procurement of the life-saving vaccine to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (62) and apologize in a humiliating tone for their efforts in procuring the vaccine. The letter is exclusively available to BILD.
According to BILD information, it was important to both Chancellor Angela Merkel (66, CDU) and von der Leyen that the letter from Spahn and his colleagues be written in as obsequious a tone as possible.
Background: Spahn and his colleagues had been working as a foursome to get enough vaccine for all Europeans, but Merkel wanted to put the vaccine procurement in the hands of the EU as a grand gesture.
Result: the EU failed disastrously to secure enough vaccine for all Europeans in time.
The letter states, "Unfortunately, the simultaneous negotiations of our alliance have caused concern. That is why we believe it is of paramount importance to have a common approach towards the different pharmaceutical companies. (…) We agree that speed is of the essence. That's why we think it makes sense for the Commission to take the lead in this process. Of course, we continue to offer our support and expertise."
Almost apologetically, the 4 health ministers noted that they had "not yet started negotiations on payment for the AstraZeneca vaccine." "We would very much appreciate it if the Commission would take over these negotiations."
According to BILD information, the four ministers already had massive doubts back in June 2020 about the EU's ability to procure enough vaccine in time, but were urged by their respective heads of government - in Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel - to transfer the process to Ursula von der Leyen.
Strikingly, contrary to what the EU, the Chancellor's Office and Spahn are currently claiming, at no point is the letter about negotiating good prices for the vaccine or even averting "vaccine nationalism." When it was handed over to the EU, these considerations - contrary to what is currently being portrayed - apparently played no role whatsoever.
All four ministers signed the letter personally. Thus the vaccine disaster took its course…