German politician under fire after having child through surrogacy from US

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Berlin: German lawmaker Jens Spahn, the parliamentary leader of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative CDU/CSU alliance, is under fire for revealing that he and his husband recently became parents through a surrogate mother in the United States, despite Germany's ban on surrogacy and his party's long-standing opposition to the practice.

The disclosure has sparked criticism within his own Christian Democratic Union (CDU), with some party members accusing him of behaving in opposition to the values and policies he officially supports. Earlier this year, the CDU repeated its opposition to legalising surrogacy in Germany, arguing that the practice risks abusing women and commercialising childbirth.

Surrogacy is prohibited under Germany's Embryo Protection Act, and doctors and agencies who arrange such pregnancies could face legal consequences. However, German law does not ban citizens from becoming parents through surrogacy abroad, and children born through the method are generally recognised under German law once legal procedures are completed.

Opposition parties and advocacy groups took advantage of the incident to revive calls for a more comprehensive discussion of reproductive rights and family legislation. Supporters of reform believe that the legislation no longer represents the realities of infertile couples and same-sex partners.

The controversy has brought Spahn under greater political scrutiny, with critics questioning whether a top leader can personally employ an agreement that his party continues to oppose as public policy. Spahn, on the other hand, has stated that becoming a father was a very personal decision and has no plans to leave his leadership position.