Harry Archie
A senior German politician, Jens Spahn, has resigned from his leadership position after facing criticism for using a surrogate mother in the United States to have a child.
Spahn, a member of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), announced his resignation on Saturday.
In a letter to his colleagues, Spahn said becoming a father with his husband brought him great happiness, but he realised that his personal decision was not compatible with his political role.
Germany bans surrogacy, and the CDU strongly supports keeping that ban. Earlier this year, the party voted to maintain the law.Chancellor Merz accepted Spahn’s resignation, saying it was the right decision.
He praised Spahn for helping the CDU return to power but said credibility is very important in politics.The controversy began after German media reported that Spahn and his husband had welcomed a baby born through a surrogate mother in the United States.
The news led to criticism from members of his own party and opposition politicians, who accused him of ignoring the same law his party supports.
Before resigning, Spahn said he had struggled with the decision for a long time before choosing surrogacy.
He later admitted that balancing his private life with the expectations of his political office had become too difficult.
Some opposition politicians said his resignation was necessary.
They argued that ordinary Germans must follow the law, while wealthy politicians can travel abroad to do things that are illegal in Germany.
Some CDU members also criticised Spahn, saying his actions went against the party’s clear position on surrogacy.
Supporters of Spahn said the couple chose the United States because of its regulations to protect surrogate mothers.
Spahn, 46, previously served as Germany’s health minister during the COVID-19 pandemic under former Chancellor Angela Merkel.
He later became one of the leading conservative voices in the CDU, especially on immigration issues.
