German centre-right politician Jens Spahn has stepped down as parliamentary group leader of the governing coalition following accusations of hypocrisy over his decision to use a surrogate mother in the United States.

Surrogacy is banned in Germany, a position long supported by his Christian Democrat party (CDU) and earlier endorsed by Spahn himself, though bringing up a child born through surrogacy overseas remains allowed.

He stated on Saturday: "I have realised that my personal happiness in starting a family with my husband and becoming a father conflicts with my political office."

Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who heads the CDU, described the move as "right" and "inevitable."

"Credibility is the highest asset in politics," he posted on social media while announcing plans to select a replacement.

The 46-year-old former health minister announced earlier this week that he and his husband Daniel Funke had become parents. Their use of a surrogate abroad drew criticism from politicians across several parties, including his own.

In his resignation statement on Saturday, Spahn explained: "The balancing act between my private decision to have a child through surrogacy and the understandable expectations placed on me as Chairman of our parliamentary group has become greater than I anticipated."

He also cited the "increasing relentlessness in public discourse" as prompting deep reflection.

"Despite all clarity and decisiveness regarding the issues, let us always remain human in our tone," he wrote.

German media indicated Alexander Hoffmann, head of the Christian Social Union parliamentary group, would handle Spahn's duties until a successor is named.

Hoffmann remarked: "Jens Spahn's decision deserves the utmost respect."

The CDU passed a resolution in February reaffirming its support for a surrogacy ban. As health minister in 2020, Spahn had rejected liberal FDP proposals to ease the prohibition.

In 2015, he wrote that "as a gay man and a Christian I find it personally very hard to warm to the idea of a rented womb."

Surrogacy in Germany is punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine, making arrangements abroad a key option for many couples.

Some observers believe Merz may welcome Spahn's departure from the political stage.

He has "made no secret of his ambitions to become chancellor," journalist Eva Fischer reported in the newspaper Taz, and poses an increasing threat to Merz.

She wrote: "In politics, the rule is: if someone could pose a threat to you, it is best to get rid of them. Now Merz still has the power to do that."

Other EU countries including France, Spain and Italy also ban surrogacy, which involves a woman carrying and giving birth to a baby for intended parents.

France's top court, the Court of Cassation, ruled this month that babies born to a surrogate mother abroad should be legally recognised as their intended parents' children.

Meanwhile, Italy made it illegal in 2024 for Italians to have a baby abroad through surrogacy, in a policy driven by Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government.