After long calls for action, on 10 July 2025, the German Parliament decided to establish a coronavirus inquiry commission. Comprising 14 members of parliament and 14 external experts, the commission will examine political decisions made during the pandemic. The commission will also involve experts and the public through hearings, consultations and surveys.
In the review, the commission will, among other things, examine measures taken to contain the virus, their effectiveness, and their impact on vulnerable groups such as children, young people and older people. It will also assess crisis management and political structures, such as cooperation between the federal government and the 16 federal states, the legal framework and parliament’s supervisory role. Measures to mitigate economic and social consequences, such as state aid for businesses, will also be evaluated.
The commission will begin work in September and deliver its final report with recommendations for future pandemics and health crises by 30 June 2027.