Key facts
- German politician Jens Spahn and his husband used a surrogate mother in the US to have a child.
- Surrogacy is banned in Germany, a policy supported by Spahn's Christian Democrat party.
- Spahn has previously opposed the legalization of surrogacy and expressed personal reservations.
- Several politicians, including from Spahn's party, have called for his resignation over alleged double standards.
- Spahn's party colleagues have reiterated their commitment to the ban on surrogacy within Germany.
German politician Jens Spahn is facing significant criticism and calls for resignation after revealing that he and his husband used a surrogate mother in the United States to have a child. This has drawn accusations of hypocrisy, as surrogacy is banned in Germany, a policy Spahn himself has previously supported and his Christian Democrat party continues to uphold. Critics argue that politicians who set standards should adhere to them personally, even if it means seeking services internationally. Spahn, who announced the birth of their son Georg, has been a vocal opponent of legalizing surrogacy, citing concerns about it becoming a commercial enterprise. His past statements, including one from 2015 where he expressed personal difficulty with the concept of a 'rented womb,' have been highlighted by critics. Other politicians, including those from his own party and the Green party, have questioned his ethical consistency, with some suggesting his position is no longer tenable. While some colleagues have congratulated Spahn on becoming a father, they maintain their political stance against surrogacy within Germany.