German conservatives to appoint Merz confidant to lead faction after surrogacy row
Germany's ruling conservative bloc has chosen one of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's closest allies, Thorsten Frei, to become its new parliamentary faction leader following Jens Spahn's resignation over a surrogacy controversy.
The Christlich Demokratische Union (CDU) (Christian Democratic Union) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christlich-Soziale Union (CSU) (Christian Social Union), announced that Frei, who currently serves as head of the Federal Chancellery, will replace Spahn. The parliamentary group is expected to formally approve the appointment during a special meeting on July 29.
Spahn stepped down after it emerged that he and his husband had become parents through a surrogate mother in the United States. The revelation sparked criticism because the CDU has long opposed surrogacy and reaffirmed its support for Germany's ban on the practice earlier this year. Although raising a child born through surrogacy abroad is legal in Germany, the issue created a political backlash within the party.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised Frei, describing him as a key figure behind the government's achievements and the stability of the governing coalition. Frei has been one of Merz's most trusted political partners and has overseen coordination between the chancellery, ministries, parliament, and coalition allies since the government took office.
Frei's move comes at a challenging time for the coalition, which has faced criticism over internal coordination and declining public approval. Supporters believe his strong relationships within the CDU/CSU parliamentary group make him well suited to unite lawmakers and strengthen the government's legislative agenda. Discussions are now underway to determine who will succeed Frei as head of the Federal Chancellery.