Jens Spahn resigns after surrogacy controversy
Jens Spahn, former German health minister, has resigned following revelations that he purchased a child via surrogacy in the United States. The practice is illegal in Germany, and his own party reaffirmed the ban as recently as February. Critics highlight the hypocrisy and the broader ethical issues of commercial surrogacy, which they describe as a system that exploits women. Spahn, who is gay, had previously stated he follows where God places him, referencing Angela Merkel, but now faces backlash for bypassing legal and ethical norms to become a father.
Key facts
- Jens Spahn resigned after buying a child via surrogacy in the USA.
- Surrogacy is illegal in Germany; his party reaffirmed the ban in February.
- Spahn is a former German health minister and a member of the CDU.
- He is gay and previously served under Angela Merkel.
- The article criticizes the 'system of surrogacy' as exploitative.
- Spahn paid a large sum of money for the surrogacy.
- The controversy highlights double standards in German politics.
- The source is an opinion piece in der Freitag.
Entities
Institutions
- CDU
- der Freitag
Locations
- United States
- Germany
- Volkspark Schönberg