He had a child through a surrogate mother and lost his job:

Jens Spahn, Germany's minister for health and former leader of the parliamentary group of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its sister party CSU, has resigned following controversy surrounding his decision to use a surrogate mother to have children with his husband, Daniel Funke. The resignation has sparked intense debate within German politics, particularly among the CDU, which has long opposed such practices. In a letter announcing his departure, Spahn acknowledged the backlash and confirmed that his choice had caused more outrage than anticipated. His exit leaves a vacuum in the leadership of the CDU parliamentary group, raising questions about future leadership and the party’s direction ahead of upcoming regional elections. The scandal emerged after reports surfaced that Spahn and Funke had opted for surrogacy in the United States to become fathers. This practice is illegal in Germany under current laws, which prohibit commercial surrogacy arrangements. While the CDU officially opposes surrogacy, Spahn’s actions have been widely criticized even within the party. Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has led the CDU since late 2023, expressed surprise at the extent of public criticism and admitted he did not expect such a strong reaction. Merz emphasized that the CDU remains firmly against surrogacy, yet Spahn’s resignation highlights internal tensions and divisions. Spahn’s decision to step down came amid growing pressure from within the CDU, where many members felt compelled to distance themselves from him. Notably, the minor political party Volt called for Spahn to remain in his position, arguing that his resignation would not resolve any issues but instead reinforce the party's perceived backwardness. However, no major figures within the CDU publicly supported Spahn, marking a rare moment of unity within the party against one of its top leaders. Spahn’s resignation has left the CDU facing challenges as it prepares for a series of regional elections scheduled for September, including contests in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-West Pomerania. These elections will test the CDU’s strength against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has gained traction in recent years. With Spahn stepping down, the CDU faces the urgent task of identifying a successor to lead the parliamentary group. At a meeting of the CDU leadership last Monday, it was announced that a decision on Spahn’s replacement would be made by the end of the week, no later than July 29. The urgency stems from the importance of the role of parliamentary group leader, which traditionally serves as the main candidate for chancellor. This tradition dates back to the early days of the CDU, when Konrad Adenauer became both the party’s leader and the first chancellor of West Germany. Adenauer’s rise to power began in 1947, when he unexpectedly took charge of the CDU during its formation. At the time, Adenauer, already 71 years old, proposed himself as a temporary leader until the party could agree on a permanent figure. The delegates accepted his proposal, and Adenauer went on to serve as both party leader and chancellor for 16 years. Following him, Heinrich von Brentano assumed the role of parliamentary group leader but died young due to illness. Later, Rainer Barzel nearly became chancellor twice, once in 1972, though he fell short by just two votes. Carsten Carl, another prominent figure, eventually moved into the presidency of the Federal Republic of Germany, making him an exception to the usual progression from parliamentary group leader to chancellor. After Carl, Helmut Kohl dominated the CDU, serving as both chancellor and parliamentary group leader for many years. His eventual departure marked the end of an era, and the subsequent leaders, including Wolfgang Schäuble, faced their own challenges. Schäuble, who became parliamentary group leader in 1991, was considered a leading candidate for chancellor in 2002 but was later embroiled in a financial scandal involving illegal funding sources. With Spahn’s resignation, the CDU now finds itself in a pivotal moment, needing to choose a new leader who can navigate both internal debates and external electoral pressures. The selection process is expected to proceed swiftly, given the significance of the position and the approaching regional elections. The outcome of this transition will likely shape the CDU’s strategy moving forward, particularly in light of rising opposition from parties like the AfD.