In brief
Jens Spahn, a 46‑year‑old former health minister, gave up his role as parliamentary group leader after it surfaced that he and his husband secured a child through a U.S. surrogate. The move has drawn criticism for his past opposition to surrogacy and for the German law that bans domestic arrangements. Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised the resignation as inevitable, while fellow CDU leaders announced an interim replacement. The case highlights the tension between personal choices and political stances in a nation where surrogacy remains outlawed domestically.
German centre‑right parliamentarian Jens Spahn announced his resignation from the chairmanship of the ruling coalition’s parliamentary group after it emerged that he and his husband used a U.S. surrogate mother to have a child.
Surrogacy in German Law
While German law prohibits domestic surrogacy, it permits parents to bring children born abroad in custody through surrogacy. The 1990 Embryo Protection Act still makes it a criminal offence to facilitate surrogacy within the country.
Spahn’s Past Stance
As a former health minister, Spahn had publicly opposed commercial surrogacy; a 2015 statement expressed his discomfort with the idea of a rented womb. Despite those claims, his personal choice triggered accusations of hypocrisy.
Political Fallout
Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised the resignation as "right" and "inevitable", stressing that credibility mattered. Merz said new leadership would be appointed soon. Among the CDU’s associated parliamentary group leaders, Alexander Hoffmann was named as a provisional replacement.
EU Context
Other EU countries such as France, Spain and Italy also enforce bans on surrogacy, though France’s top court recently recognized children born to foreign surrogates as belonging to their intended parents.
