Union parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn faces pressure after announcing he became the father of a child born via a surrogate in the USA. Criticism comes from churches and his own party.
Spahn and his husband Daniel Funke announced on Wednesday that a surrogate mother in the USA had given birth to their son. Surrogacy is banned in Germany, and the CDU clearly opposes legalization.
Württemberg's state bishop Ernst-Wilhelm Gohl criticized double standards and credibility issues. Passau bishop Stefan Oster called the approach a real scandal.
From within the CDU, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state leader Daniel Peters demanded Spahn's resignation. Spahn said the parliamentary group should decide on his future in September. The CDU presidium will address the issue on Monday.
