Jens Spahn’s surrogacy scandal shines a light on a political class that has repeatedly shown contempt for the laws and standards it sets, argues columnist Brian Melican. Let it mark the beginning of more accountability in German public life.
Brian Melican - news@thelocal.de
Updated: Fri 24 Jul 2026 11:42 CET
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Jens Spahn, former chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, is seen taking questions at a press conference. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Bernd von Jutrczenka
Jens Spahn’s surrogacy scandal shines a light on a political class that has repeatedly shown contempt for the laws and standards it sets, argues columnist Brian Melican. Let it mark the beginning of more accountability in German public life.
The powerful politician was no stranger to controversy, but brazenly defying a ban on surrogacy that he had long defended, was…
Jens Spahn, a key ally of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is stepping down amid a controversy surrounding his decision to have a child…
“I have come to realise that my personal happiness — starting a family with my husband and becoming a father — is incompatible…
Following Spahn's resignation, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the move as "the right one" and "unavoidable."…
Jens Spahn, a senior member of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s ruling conservatives, resigned on Saturday after having a baby…
Surrogacy is not permitted in Germany and the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) opposes its legalization. Spahn and…
