CDU party congress votes to uphold Germany's surrogacy ban
CDU party congress votes to keep Germany's surrogacy ban despite internal debate over the policy.
Event / Politics
German CDU Surrogacy Controversy
Jens Spahn, parliamentary group leader of Germany's CDU/CSU, resigned following criticism over his use of gestational surrogacy in the United States to have a child with his husband, contradicting the party's official opposition to the practice.
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2026-08-15 to 2026-11-12 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 18 Jul, 14:47 UTC
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What happened
Jens Spahn and husband became parents through surrogacy in the United States
Jens Spahn and his husband recently became parents through gestational surrogacy in the United States. The practice is prohibited in Germany, creating a contradiction with Spahn's position in the CDU, which officially opposes surrogacy.
Friedrich Merz indicates CDU executive committee will debate Spahn's position
Chancellor Friedrich Merz declined to publicly comment on Spahn's decision on Friday but stated the matter would be discussed by the party's national executive committee. Merz also declared he saw no reason to modify German surrogacy legislation or reconsider the CDU's long-standing opposition to the practice.
Jens Spahn resigns as CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader
Jens Spahn, president of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, resigned on Saturday following internal party criticism. He cited incompatibility between his personal happiness and his political position, stating that founding a family with his husband and becoming a father conflicted with his role.
Spahn's surrogacy decision revealed in German press, triggering internal criticism
The revelation on Thursday that Spahn used surrogacy to have a child prompted immediate criticism within the CDU, including calls for his resignation and accusations of hypocrisy from other political figures.
CDU party congress votes to maintain surrogacy ban in Germany
The CDU party held a congress in February during which it voted in favor of maintaining the existing prohibition on gestational surrogacy in Germany. The party strongly opposes the practice as official policy.
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Spahn resigns as CDU/CSU leader amid surrogacy controversy
Spahn resigns as CDU/CSU leader after surrogacy disclosure sparks internal criticism.