Jens Spahn apologises to CDU members for handling of surrogacy debate

Jens Spahn addressed the CDU electorate of Steinfurt I/Borken I with a written apology, describing himself as too timid to take a clear position on the sensitive surrogacy issue. He admitted that avoiding the debate to shield his forthcoming family ultimately intensified the controversy. The letter recalled his 2015 interview with one outlet, his 2020 opposition as health minister, and the 2018 Bundesgerichtshof ruling that allows recognition of parenthood from surrogacy in specific cases.

Spahn detailed his personal decision to have a child through a U.S. surrogate, emphasizing that the surrogate should already have a family, be financially secure, and receive medical and legal counsel, with no biological link to the child. He confessed that he missed opportunities to explain this shift publicly, which eroded confidence among CDU members. While the party’s February conference reaffirmed a ban on surrogacy, Spahn’s actions prompted criticism, including a call for his resignation from Friedrich Merz’s local branch. After stepping down as parliamentary group leader in July, Spahn now serves on the Unionsfraktion’s budget committee and says an apology alone is insufficient, but he will strive to restore trust.