CDU Health Minister Jens Spahn Resigns Over Surrogacy Scandal

Germany’s strict anti‑surrogacy law remains in force, and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has reiterated its opposition to any legal change. Under current German legislation, arranging or performing a surrogacy arrangement is prohibited, and individuals who do so abroad may face legal consequences. The party’s stance reflects a broader conservative view that surrogacy undermines traditional family structures and raises ethical concerns.

The issue has gained personal relevance for German Health Minister Jens Spahn and his husband, who welcomed a child through a surrogate mother in the United States. The couple’s decision to use a foreign surrogate has drawn public attention to the gap between German law and the realities of assisted reproduction for some citizens. While the couple’s experience underscores the challenges faced by German residents seeking surrogacy abroad, it has not altered the CDU’s position, which continues to advocate for maintaining the prohibition on surrogacy within Germany.