German politician resigns over surrogacy child controversy

Jens Spahn, a prominent German centre-right politician, has stepped down as the parliamentary group leader of the governing coalition. His resignation follows controversy surrounding his use of a surrogate mother in the United States to have a child, a practice prohibited in Germany.

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I have realised that my personal happiness – founding a family together and becoming a father – is not compatible with my political office.

Spahn, who previously supported the ban on surrogacy and even expressed personal reservations about the concept of a "rented womb," acknowledged the incompatibility of his personal life with his political role. "I have realized that my personal happiness – founding a family together and becoming a father – is not compatible with my political office," he stated. He also cited the "increasing relentlessness in public discourse" as a factor in his decision.

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Credibility is the highest asset in politics.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democrat party (CDU), deemed Spahn's resignation "right" and "inevitable," emphasizing that "credibility is the highest asset in politics." The CDU had reaffirmed its support for the surrogacy ban in February, and Spahn himself, as former health minister, had rejected calls to relax the prohibition.

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Jens Spahn’s decision deserves the utmost respect.

Alexander Hoffmann, head of the Christian Social Union parliamentary group, is expected to temporarily assume Spahn's duties. Hoffmann stated that Spahn's decision "deserves the utmost respect." The controversy highlights the tension between personal choices and public office, particularly in a country with strict regulations on assisted reproductive technologies.

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as a gay man and a Christian I find it personally very hard to warm to the idea of a rented womb