Surrogacy has sparked a scandal involving the leader of the Merz faction
The German governing coalition, the CDU/CSU, has responded to the controversy surrounding Jens Spahn, leader of the conservative parliamentary caucus, and his husband, Daniel Funke. The couple became parents through a surrogate mother.
Party representatives emphasized that politicians’ personal lives should not affect their work; however, the situation has sparked a lively debate in German society over the issue of surrogacy.
Amid the scandal, spokesperson Prien stressed that surrogacy should remain banned in Germany.
“The coalition agreement does not provide for any changes to current legislation,” he noted.
Jens Spahn and his husband were unable to use the services of a surrogate mother in Germany, as such a practice is illegal there. Therefore, they turned to a surrogate mother in the United States.
At its party conference in February, the CDU adopted the following resolution: “In view of the ethical, legal, and practical concerns regarding surrogacy, the CDU reaffirms its demand that surrogacy—including in altruistic models—remain prohibited in Germany in order to prevent abuse, exploitation, and health risks.”
Schpan faced criticism—including from within the CDU—for traveling to the U.S. to have a child.
“Surrogacy is banned in Germany for compelling ethical reasons,” said Marion Rosin, chairwoman of the Women’s Union in the state of Thuringia.
According to her, anyone who circumvents this ban “places themselves above the spirit of German law.”
Rosin also hinted that Schpan should resign following this incident.
If an influential politician has lost his credibility, “resignation is the logical consequence,” she noted.
According to “EP,” this was stated by a spokesperson for Family Affairs Minister Karin Prien, a member of the CDU; her remarks were quoted by dpa.
Merz warned of the threat of new Russian aggression against a number of European countries.
Before meeting with an American delegation consisting of U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, dictator Putin stated that Russia is allegedly ready to go to war with Europe but has no such intention.
In the event of a Russian attack on NATO members, the Alliance could launch a preemptive strike against targets on Russian territory, according to Admiral Rob Bauer, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy considers it entirely possible that Russia could open a second front against another European country even before the war in Ukraine ends.
