German conservative leader Jens Spahn resigns over surrogacy scandal

Jens Spahn, until recently the parliamentary leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), has demonstrated a notable lack of sharp political instincts.

On July 15th, Mr. Spahn announced on social media and in an interview with Bild, a German tabloid, that he and his husband had welcomed a baby boy via a surrogate in the United States. The revelation proved politically damaging, as it appeared to voters as brazen hypocrisy. Surrogacy is illegal in Germany, and Mr. Spahn—a conservative former health minister—had previously argued that the ban should remain in place. Three days later, he resigned.

This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline "Spahn out"

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