Jens Spahn resigned on July 18 2026 as chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group. The CDU politician cited his fatherhood via a surrogate mother in the USA as the reason. Alexander Hoffmann of the CSU is taking over the leadership on an interim basis.
Spahn informed the members of parliament that he had notified Friedrich Merz and Markus Söder of his resignation. He wrote that his personal happiness as a father was incompatible with the office.
Merz described the decision as right and unavoidable. He praised Spahn's contribution to the Union's transition into government.
Hoffmann said in the ZDF Spezial broadcast that he would lead the group until a new chair is elected. A decision on the successor is expected still in July.
