German MP Faces Pressure After Surrogacy Revelation

Jens Spahn, chairman of the German CDU/CSU parliamentary group, is facing calls from within his party to resign after it emerged that he and his husband had become parents to a child born through surrogacy in the United States.

The revelation has drawn criticism primarily because Spahn's party has long opposed legalizing surrogacy and, as recently as February, reaffirmed its support for maintaining Germany's ban. While the practice is prohibited in Germany, raising a child born to a surrogate abroad is not illegal.

Spahn acknowledged that the decision had not been easy and said he had struggled with the question of surrogacy for a long time. He added, however, that he intended to discuss his position with members of his parliamentary group. Critics within the CDU argue that his personal decision is at odds with the party's position.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the matter as sensitive from legal, ethical and social perspectives, but said he saw no reason to change the current legislation.

(Reuters, mja)