Germany's Merz picks Frei to lead coalition faction after Spahn exits

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has nominated Thorsten Frei to replace Jens Spahn as the leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group following a surrogacy scandal that forced Spahn's resignation. The centre-right faction will elect its new chairman at a special meeting next Wednesday.

Spahn stepped down over the weekend after a German press report revealed he and his husband had a child through a surrogate mother in the United States. Because surrogacy is banned in Germany, the revelation drew immediate charges of hypocrisy against the former health minister.

Spahn had initially tried to defend his actions, stating he had reflected on the issue for a long time before making the decision. However, his position became untenable after critics noted the party had strictly condemned the practice at a conference in February, reportedly while the American surrogate was already pregnant.

The former health minister ultimately conceded, writing in a resignation letter that his "personal happiness" as a new father was "incompatible with my political office." Merz welcomed the departure, stating the resignation was "right and unavoidable."

To prevent the controversy from derailing the government's agenda, Merz moved quickly to appoint Frei. The 52-year-old currently serves as chief of the chancellory and minister for special tasks, making him the administration's primary manager of the coalition with the centre-left SPD.

Merz credited Frei with playing "a decisive role" in the government's success so far and ensuring "stability" within the alliance. Keeping Frei at the centre of power is a clear signal that the chancellor wants to avoid any disruption to the ruling partnership.

A tested legislative manager

Frei is a conservative from southwestern Germany who has served in parliament since 2013. He previously held the post of the CDU/CSU parliamentary faction's deputy chairman from 2018 to 2021, and then served as chief whip from 2021 to 2025.

He is widely regarded as an influential figure among party lawmakers and a close confidante of the chancellor. His nomination has already secured key backing from Bavarian state premier Markus Söder, who said Wednesday that Frei would be "a good chairman" for the parliamentary group.

For a European audience tracking Berlin's political stability, the appointment limits the fallout from Spahn's abrupt exit. By elevating the architect of the current coalition arrangement, Merz has shielded the government from internal fracturing that could complicate policymaking.