CDU Parliamentary Group Deputy Chairman Jens Spahn resigned after surrogacy debate in the US

Jens Spahn, parliamentary group leader of the German Christian Democratic Union (CDU/CSU), resigned from his post due to the pressure that followed after he became a father through surrogacy in the US. The decision, which was also approved by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, stemmed from the contradiction between Spahn's personal lifestyle preference and his use of a method that is banned in Germany and opposed by his party.

Stating that becoming a parent via surrogacy with his spouse was incompatible with his political duties, Spahn emphasized that his family is more important than anything else. The party leadership, which demonstrated a clear stance against surrogacy at the CDU congress held in Stuttgart in February and argued that this practice could lead to exploitation, expressed their ethical and legal concerns regarding the issue.

Spahn, who had previously stated in 2015 that he might personally approach surrogacy with difficulties, and who opposed the partial legalization of the said method as Health Minister in 2020, was accused of double standards. While Merz described the resignation as the right and inevitable step in terms of political reliability, it was reported that Alexander Hoffmann would be appointed as his acting replacement.