CDU's Jens Spahn resigns from Bundestag budget committee after Sardinia trip controversy
Former CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn has resigned from the Bundestag's budget committee days after a photo published by Bild allegedly showed him on vacation in Sardinia during a parliamentary session week. Spahn cited excessive politicization and his July resignation as group leader being too fresh. The move followed internal party criticism and demands from some committee members for his removal.
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Jens Spahn withdraws from budget committee after Sardinia trip during parliament week
Jens Spahn, former parliamentary group leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has withdrawn from the Bundestag's budget committee just days into his new role, following a scandal over a photographed trip to Sardinia during a parliamentary session week. The image, published and then deleted by Bild newspaper, sparked public outrage and internal party criticism. Spahn cited an inability to work normally and claimed 'politicization' as reasons, but the commentary by Kersten Augustin in taz argues Spahn has learned nothing since resigning as faction leader and still believes rules do not apply to him. The article notes that conservative party members showed backbone by demanding consequences, similar to earlier rebellion over Spahn's surrogacy affair. It also links the incident to a broader pattern of self-aggrandizement in the CDU, citing a separate case of CDU state minister Philipp Amthor removing a beach chair from the Chancellery balcony after criticism. The commentary concludes that while the CDU may have lost its political compass, it does not want to be a party for 'sun kings'.
Read sourceJens Spahn resigns from German Bundestag budget committee, citing inability to work normally
CDU politician Jens Spahn has announced he is giving up his seat on the budget committee of the German Bundestag. The decision, reported by Die Welt on September 28, 2026, was accompanied by Spahn's statement that 'normal work is hardly possible,' suggesting difficulties in fulfilling his duties on the committee. The move marks a significant step back for the former health minister, who has been a prominent figure in German conservative politics. The article does not specify the exact reasons behind his resignation or any immediate political consequences, but it highlights the challenges Spahn faced in his role on the influential committee responsible for overseeing the federal budget.
Read sourceJens Spahn resigns from budget committee seat after absence and vacation photo controversy
Former CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn has given up his seat on the Bundestag's budget committee, his office announced. The decision follows two days of absence from parliament and a committee meeting during the last session week, which caused irritation among fellow MPs. A photo published by Bild allegedly showed Spahn on vacation in Sardinia with his son during the session, though Bild later retracted the image. According to reports from Stern, Spiegel, and ARD, several of the 14 committee members demanded Spahn's removal, leading to a meeting on Friday where a probation period until year-end was reportedly agreed upon, though not formally confirmed. Spahn had previously resigned as parliamentary group leader in July after he and his husband became parents via surrogacy, which is illegal in Germany and caused outrage in the party. The budget committee chair and parliamentary leadership declined to comment on internal matters.
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Jens Spahn resigns from budget committee after absence and vacation photo controversy
Former German Union parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn has resigned his seat on the Bundestag's budget committee, according to a dpa report. The decision follows controversy over his absence from parliament during a sitting week, with a photo allegedly showing him on vacation in Sardinia with his son. The photo was later retracted by Bild, which admitted it violated its own rules. Spahn's absence caused irritation among CDU and CSU lawmakers, with some demanding his removal from the committee. In a message to colleagues, Spahn said he was stepping down because his persona had become too politicized and his July resignation as faction leader was still too fresh. He stated he would focus on his constituency and family. Spahn had resigned as faction leader in July after he and his husband became parents via surrogacy, which is illegal in Germany and opposed by the Union party. The article notes Spahn previously advocated for stricter sick leave rules, requiring a doctor's note from the first day of illness.
Jens Spahn resigns from Bundestag budget committee, citing politicization and recent resignation as too fresh
German CDU politician Jens Spahn has given up his seat on the Bundestag's budget committee, according to a report by Der Spiegel citing a message Spahn sent in a WhatsApp group for Union parliamentary group members. The message, also seen by the German Press Agency (dpa), stated: 'After careful consideration over the weekend, I will give up my seat on the budget committee. Everything surrounding my person is currently so politicized that normal work will hardly be possible.' He added that his resignation as CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader in July is 'still much too fresh to fully restart as if nothing had happened.' Spahn said he would focus on his constituency and family in coordination with Union parliamentary group leader Thorsten Frei, and would decide on future content priorities later. Der Spiegel reported that Spahn's move appears to be a response to internal party criticism over a trip to Sardinia last week, which his spokesman said was for family reasons. Spahn missed a budget committee meeting due to the trip and was also absent from another meeting on Thursday morning, though his office said he was excused and a substitute was arranged.
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