Jens Spahn has announced he will not seek re-election as CDU district chair in Münsterland, following his earlier resignation as parliamentary group leader. Meanwhile, the debate over surrogacy continues to stir controversy within Germany’s political landscape.

Former parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn has decided to step down from another prominent position within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Spahn confirmed he will not run for re-election as CDU district chair in Münsterland, a role he has held for years. The decision comes ahead of the party’s election meeting scheduled for September 15, where North Rhine-Westphalia’s education minister Dorothee Feller is expected to succeed him.

Spahn’s announcement follows a wave of criticism earlier this year after he revealed that he and his husband had become parents through surrogacy in the United States. The disclosure reignited a contentious debate over surrogacy in Germany, where the practice remains illegal. Members of the conservative bloc have called for stricter enforcement of existing bans and potential new legislation to prevent German couples from circumventing domestic laws by seeking surrogacy abroad.

Some lawmakers have pointed to Italy’s approach as a potential model for Germany. Italian law criminalizes surrogacy arrangements even if conducted in countries where the practice is legal, imposing severe penalties on violators. Legal experts and politicians in Germany have suggested similar measures, emphasizing the need for an ethical debate on surrogacy and embryo protection before any legislative changes are made. The issue continues to divide opinions within the political sphere, highlighting broader questions about family rights and reproductive ethics.