CDU parliamentary leader Spahn resigns over surrogacy decision

Jens Spahn, the leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, has resigned from his position, citing personal reasons. In a letter to his colleagues, Spahn stated that his personal happiness in starting a family with his husband and becoming a father is no longer compatible with his political responsibilities.

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I have realized in these past few days that my personal happiness, starting a family with my husband and becoming a father, is not compatible with my political office.

Spahn acknowledged the growing gap between his private decision to have a child through surrogacy and the expectations placed upon him as group leader. He expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by CDU and CSU leaders Friedrich Merz and Markus Söder, and for the collaborative work with colleagues, including SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch, which he described as a stabilizing force for the coalition.

The resignation comes amid significant discontent within the party regarding Spahn's use of surrogacy in the United States to have a son. Surrogacy is illegal in Germany, and the CDU officially opposes its legalization. Critics argued that Spahn's actions undermined the party's credibility.

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It was a great honor for me to be the chairman of our joint parliamentary group.

Spahn reflected on the increasing harshness of public discourse, urging for continued respect and humanity in political exchanges, which he believes defines the CDU as a centrist people's party. He reiterated that his family is his top priority.

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The increasing relentlessness in public discourse has made me very thoughtful.

The successor to Spahn has not yet been determined. The resignation follows calls for his departure from within the party, including from the CDU chairman in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Daniel Peters, who argued that Spahn, as a role model, knowingly violated German law. Chancellor Friedrich Merz had also reportedly signaled his wish for Spahn to step down.

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Let us, with all clarity and decisiveness in the matter, always remain human in tone, because that distinguishes us as a Christian democratic people's party of the center.