German conservative politician Jens Spahn has drawn fierce criticism from within his own party after he and his husband Daniel Funke announced the birth of a child carried by a surrogate in the United States. Spahn, a prominent figure in the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), revealed the news on July 15, 2026, confirmed by his office.
The disclosure has sparked accusations of hypocrisy, as surrogacy remains legally banned in Germany — a stance the CDU reaffirmed at its February 2026 party conference. Spahn himself previously opposed legalising the practice. The CDU's youth wing, the Junge CDA, publicly condemned his decision, while theologian Peter Dabrock and regional party leader Daniel Peters called for his resignation.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the matter would be addressed at the CDU's next executive meeting, as the party maintains its prohibition on surrogacy domestically.