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🇫🇷 France /Elections & Politics

German conservative leader criticized for using surrogacy abroad

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • German conservative leader Jens Spahn faces criticism within his party for using a surrogate mother in the U.S. to have a child, a practice banned in Germany.
  • Critics argue Spahn has deliberately flouted German law and that his actions contradict his political stance against surrogacy.
  • Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated the issue will be discussed by the CDU party leadership, maintaining the party's opposition to surrogacy.

Jens Spahn, the leader of Germany's conservative CDU/CSU parliamentary group, is under fire from within his own party for having a child via surrogacy in the United States, a practice illegal in Germany.

Regional CDU official Daniel Peters called for Spahn's resignation, stating that he had "deliberately flouted German law." Peters deemed the discrepancy between Spahn's private actions and his legislative votes "totally unacceptable."

Spahn's husband announced the birth of their son, Georg, on social media. The couple told the newspaper Bild that the surrogate mother "is now an integral part of the family and will accompany Georg throughout his life."

We should examine in the EU whether we can ensure that no security vacuum arises with a European mandate following the UNIFIL mission.

— Johann WadephulGerman Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul speaking about the proposed EU peacekeeping mission.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the matter would be "discussed at the next meeting of the CDU presidium." He indicated no intention to change the law or the party's stance against surrogacy. Spahn himself had previously rejected calls to abolish the ban on surrogacy when he was health minister in 2020.

The controversy highlights a perceived double standard, as Spahn had not advocated for the legalization of surrogacy in Germany. The CDU's decision in February to maintain the ban came even as the surrogate mother was already four months pregnant, according to Bild.

We should examine in the EU whether we can ensure that no security vacuum arises with a European mandate following the UNIFIL mission.

— Johann WadephulGerman Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul speaking about the proposed EU peacekeeping mission.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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