Germany: CDU's Jens Spahn resigns amid surrogacy controversy
Jens Spahn, the head of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in the German parliament, stepped down on Saturday after it emerged that he and his husband had a child via a surrogate mother in the US. Surrogacy is illegal in Germany and the CDU opposes its legalization.
Jens Spahn, the leader of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) parliamentary group, resigned on Saturday. The resignation was requested by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The controversy revolves around Spahn's decision to have a child through surrogacy.
Surrogacy is not permitted in Germany, and the CDU opposes its legalization. Spahn and his husband became parents via a surrogate mother in the United States. This revelation sparked political backlash and calls for his resignation.
The resignation comes amid ongoing debates in Germany about family law and reproductive medicine. Spahn's successor as head of the CDU parliamentary group has not yet been announced.
