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2026-07-19 11:00:14
[CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group Leader Resigns Amid Controversy] According to German media reports on the 18th, Jens Spahn, chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, resigned due to recent controversy surrounding his personal conduct. According to the German Press Agency (dpa), Spahn wrote to members of his parliamentary group that day, stating that he realized "personal happiness and public office cannot coexist," and therefore decided to resign. German Chancellor and CDU leader Merz stated that Spahn's decision was "correct and inevitable." Spahn's recent involvement in surrogacy in the United States has sparked widespread controversy in Germany. Surrogacy is prohibited under German law, and Spahn's CDU/CSU alliance has consistently opposed its legalization. His actions have therefore been questioned. The CDU/CSU parliamentary group chairmanship is one of the most influential positions within the ruling coalition, responsible for coordinating support for government policies among parliamentary members and coordinating parliamentary affairs between the Federal Chancellery and its coalition partners. Spahn previously served as German Federal Minister of Health from 2018 to 2021. (Xinhua)
