German parliamentary group leader resigns over surrogacy controversy

BERLIN, July 18 — Jens Spahn, leader of the parliamentary group of Germany’s ruling conservative CDU/CSU bloc, resigned on Saturday amid controversy over becoming a father through surrogacy abroad, German media reported.

According to the German Press Agency, Spahn informed members of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group of his decision in a letter. He said he had realized that his personal happiness could not be reconciled with his political office and had therefore resigned. German Chancellor and CDU Chairman Friedrich Merz said Spahn’s decision was “right and unavoidable.”