Thorsten Frei set to lead Union parliamentary group after Spahn's surrogacy scandal exit

Spahn's resignation over surrogacy

Jens Spahn stepped down as leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group on Saturday, 18 July, after he and his husband Daniel Funke announced they had become parents via surrogacy in the United States. Surrogacy is illegal in Germany, and Spahn had previously opposed its legalisation, drawing sharp criticism from within his own party. The resignation ended Spahn's tenure after a period marked by internal friction and several political missteps, including a failed constitutional judge election last summer and a debate on pension policy that spiralled out of control among Union MPs.

Frei nominated as successor

On Wednesday, 22 July, CDU leader Friedrich Merz and CSU chairman Markus Söder proposed Thorsten Frei, the current head of the Chancellery, to take over the parliamentary group. The 52-year-old Frei, a lawyer and former mayor of Donaueschingen, has been a Bundestag member since 2013 and served as the group's parliamentary manager under Merz during the opposition years. Merz described Frei as having a decisive share in the success of government work and the stability of the coalition, adding that the reform achievements of recent weeks were also his merit.

I ask the parliamentary group for its approval for Thorsten Frei, who has a decisive share in the success of government work and the stability of the coalition. The reform successes of recent weeks are also his merit.

Frei is widely seen as Merz's loyal right hand. The nomination was communicated to all 208 CDU/CSU MPs via SMS after a video conference with the group's executive board. Frei had long harboured ambitions for the post; Merz originally took him into the Chancellery because he had few trusted allies after the 2021 election defeat.

Frei's political profile

Frei entered the Bundestag in 2013 and built a reputation as hardworking, well-networked, and skilled at pulling strings in negotiations. Colleagues describe him as friendly in tone but tough on substance. As parliamentary manager, he coordinated the work of all policy working groups and became a sought-after guest on talk shows. His first year as Chancellery chief, however, drew criticism: some said he continued to operate like a parliamentary whip rather than a government coordinator, and his once-spotless reputation suffered.

Reactions across the coalition

The proposal drew mixed responses. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) called Frei "exactly the right man" and said he could not imagine a better choice. Brandenburg CDU MPs also welcomed the move; regional group leader Sebastian Steineke said Frei "always has an open ear for us" and knows how to organise the parliamentary group.

However, FDP leader Wolfgang Kubicki reacted with irony, pointing to long-standing coalition discontent with the Chancellery under Frei.

The coalition-internal discontent with the Chancellery under Thorsten Frei was long unmistakable in Berlin. Giving him an even more important post in the coalition is a remarkable decision. That will not be a liberation for Merz.

Vote and Chancellery vacancy

The parliamentary group will convene for a special session in Berlin on Wednesday, 29 July, to elect the new leader. Parliamentary manager Steffen Bilger said he expects strong attendance and a strong vote for Frei. The succession in the Chancellery remains open; Merz intends to decide "quickly," but no name was presented. Government circles indicated that a female minister is under consideration, though securing a commitment from a preferred candidate has proved difficult.

A move for stability

The swift nomination is seen as an effort by Merz to consolidate control after months of internal tensions. Spahn, a former health minister and rival with chancellor ambitions, had been a necessary but uneasy partner. By installing Frei, Merz gains a trusted ally at the helm of the parliamentary group, which is expected to act as a corrective to the government rather than a mere rubber stamp. The change comes as the coalition pushes through a series of reforms, and Merz hopes the reshuffle will bring calm to the fractious CDU/CSU bloc.