Senior Merz Ally Under Pressure in Germany over Surrogate Baby
The CDU leader’s disclosure intensified criticism as German law still bars surrogacy and can punish doctors with up to five years in prison.
- On Wednesday, Christian Democratic Union parliamentary leader Jens Spahn announced that he and his husband, Daniel Funke, welcomed their son, George, born via a surrogate in the United States.
- Having a child through surrogacy is forbidden under German law; the 1991 Embryo Protection Act prohibits medical practitioners from implanting embryos for such arrangements, with penalties up to five years imprisonment.
- The CDU reaffirmed its absolute surrogacy ban as recently as February, passing a resolution to "prevent abuse, exploitation and health risks," intensifying the tension with Spahn's personal choice.
- Spahn faces internal criticism and calls for resignation from within the CDU, with some party members claiming he used his influence to bypass German law through foreign surrogacy services.
- While Germany does not automatically recognize surrogacy parents, a 2014 Federal Court ruling permits legal parenthood recognition if at least one intended parent shares a genetic connection to the child.
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37 Articles
Senior Merz ally under pressure in Germany over surrogate baby
BERLIN, July 17 (Reuters) - A senior member of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's ruling conservatives faced pressure to resign on Friday after having a baby born through a surrogate mother in the United States, contrary to his own party's opposition...
Jens Spahn is critical of surrogate motherhood. Now, for the first time, the head of the Union's political group comments on it. He also makes an admission.
Jens Spahn and his husband got a son with the help of a surrogate mother in the USA. A father from Bochum, who went the same way, explains the process, the costs – and how the Germans stand for it.
What are Germany's rules on having a baby through surrogacy?
Germany's conservatives are embroiled in controversy after a high-profile CDU politician admitted his child had been carried by a surrogate mother in the United States. Why has this caused such a stir, and what are the rules on surrogacy in Germany?
As Minister of Health, Spahn blocked the legalization of surrogacy. Now he is facing a storm of criticism.
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