A senior member of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s ruling conservatives is facing pressure to resign after it was revealed that he had a baby born through a surrogate mother in the United States. Jens Spahn, the parliamentary leader of Merz’s Christian Democrat party and its sister Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU), has drawn heavy criticism for his decision, which goes against his own party’s opposition to surrogacy.

Surrogacy in Germany

Surrogacy is prohibited in Germany, although it is not illegal to bring up a child born of a surrogate mother outside Germany. The CDU voted to uphold the ban on surrogacy inside Germany at its party conference in February, and the news about Spahn’s move to use a surrogate in the United States has prompted calls from some in the party for Spahn to step down.

Spahn has stated that he wrestled with the decision for a long time and was torn about the issue of surrogacy. He has said that he will discuss his position with members of his parliamentary group.

International Perspective

The episode highlights the sensitivity of the surrogacy issue in Europe, with the interests of would-be parents unable to have children coming up against those who say the practice is exploitative. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has described surrogacy as ‘inhuman’ and her government has made it illegal to seek surrogacy abroad. France and Spain also ban surrogacy.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.