JENS SPAHN: Paukenschlag! Rücktritt nach Leihmutter-Eklat! So reagiert Kanzler Friedrich Merz!

JENS SPAHN: A bombshell! Resignation after surrogate mother scandal! This is how Chancellor Friedrich Merz reacts! The planned quiet start to the political summer recess ends with a bang. The powerful CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader, Jens Spahn, resigns because of his paternity through a surrogate mother. The political summer recess in Berlin has come to an abrupt end: Following increasing pressure from within his own party regarding his paternity through a surrogate mother, Jens Spahn (CDU) has announced his resignation as leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group – but only after being prompted by CDU leader and Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The CDU/CSU is thus facing a restructuring at key positions in Berlin's political establishment. If a decision is not reached quickly, personnel discussions could dominate the coming weeks, even though the Chancellor and the CDU/CSU-SPD coalition had hoped for a positive and calm start to the summer recess with their reform package. Spahn: Personal Happiness Incompatible with Office Spahn sent a letter to the members of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag: "In recent days, I have become aware that my personal happiness—starting a family with my husband and becoming a father—is incompatible with my political office," it reads. Previously, there had been talks between Merz and Spahn. As the German Press Agency (dpa) learned from sources close to the party chairman, the Chancellor called on the parliamentary group leader to resign. In the early afternoon, Spahn informed the parliamentary group of his resignation. "The decision is correct and was unavoidable," Merz later commented on the move. "Credibility is the highest good in politics." Spahn wrote: "It was a great honor to have been chairman of our joint parliamentary group." However, he also criticized an "increasing ruthlessness in public discourse," which had given him much to think about. He appealed for everyone to "remain humane in their tone, despite all the clarity and decisiveness on the issues." "One thing has become increasingly clear to me in recent days: my family is the most important thing to me," he added. Key positions need to be filled The position of leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group is one of the most influential within the governing coalition. This leader keeps the members of parliament united behind the government's course and is the central contact person in parliament for the Chancellor's Office and coalition partners. Alexander Hoffmann, head of the CSU members of parliament in the Bundestag, will temporarily assume the duties of leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group. The parliamentary group will remain capable of making decisions and taking action, Hoffmann said. A new leader can only be officially appointed by election at a parliamentary group meeting. Internal consultations are expected to take place in the coming days. The first regular parliamentary group meeting after the summer recess would not be until September 8, two days after the important state election in Saxony-Anhalt. Will it be Chancellor's Office Chief Frei? In consultation with the CSU, he will make a proposal for the new parliamentary group leader, Merz announced. "The procedure and timeline will now be coordinated with the party and parliamentary group bodies." The CDU executive committee is scheduled to meet on Monday. Merz will be a guest on ZDF's "Summer Interview" on Sunday. The ongoing discussion about Spahn, which has been going on for days, was apparently to be resolved beforehand. The current election campaigns in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania also necessitated a swift decision. The current head of the Federal Chancellery and experienced parliamentarian Thorsten Frei (CDU) is being considered as a possible successor to Spahn. However, if he is removed from his current post, Merz will also have to find a new right-hand man for the Chancellery. Frei served as parliamentary managing director under Merz during the last legislative period when he was parliamentary group leader and leader of the opposition. He is therefore very familiar with leadership within the parliamentary group and was already being discussed for the position after the federal election. #spahn #merz #cdu #weltnetzreporter Subscribe to the WELT Netzreporter Channel:    / dienetzreporter   WELT News Channel:    / weltvideotv   WELT DOKU Channel:    / weltdoku   WELT Podcast Channel:    / weltpodcast   The WELT News Livestream: http://bit.ly/2fwuMPg Top News on WELT.de: http://bit.ly/2rQQD9Q The Media Library on WELT.de: http://bit.ly/2Iydxv8 WELT News Channel on Instagram: https://bit.ly/IGWELTTV WELT on Instagram: http://bit.ly/2X1M7Hk A note from us: Due to the high volume of inappropriate and offensive comments, we are currently unable to allow comments. Thank you for your understanding – the WELT t...