German Conservative Leader Resigns Amid Surrogacy Conflict

Jens Spahn, a senior member of Germany's centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has resigned as parliamentary group leader of the governing coalition following controversy over his use of a surrogate mother in the United States to have a child.

Surrogacy is prohibited in Germany, a policy that Spahn and his party have historically supported. However, raising a child born to a surrogate abroad is not illegal. Spahn announced his resignation on Saturday, stating that his personal happiness from starting a family with his husband was incompatible with his political office.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz, also of the CDU, called the decision "right" and "inevitable," emphasising that credibility is the highest asset in politics. He said the process of appointing a successor would begin immediately.

The 46-year-old former health minister revealed earlier this week that he and his husband Daniel Funke had become parents via a surrogate abroad. This prompted criticism from politicians across several parties, including members of his own CDU.

In his resignation statement, Spahn wrote: "The balancing act between my private decision to have a child through surrogacy and the understandable expectations placed on me as Chairman of our parliamentary group has become greater than I anticipated." He also expressed concern about the "increasing relentlessness in public discourse," urging for humanity in political tone.

German media reported that Alexander Hoffmann, head of the Christian Social Union parliamentary group, would temporarily take over Spahn's duties until a successor is chosen. Hoffmann described Spahn's decision as deserving of the utmost respect.

The CDU had reaffirmed its support for the surrogacy ban in a resolution passed in February. In 2020, as health minister, Spahn rejected calls from the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP) to relax the ban. In 2015, he wrote: "As a gay man and a Christian I find it personally very hard to warm to the idea of a rented womb."

Surrogacy in Germany is punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine, making surrogacy abroad a common option for couples seeking to have children through this method.