Bundestag: Spahn zieht sich aus Haushaltsausschuss zurück

Former CDU party leader Jens Spahn has withdrawn from the Bundestag's Budget Committee, according to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur. The news came to light through a statement from Spahn to CDU lawmakers in the committee, reported by "Spiegel" first. In his message, Spahn wrote, "Dear colleagues, after much reflection over the weekend, I will relinquish my seat on the HHA.

All matters concerning my person are currently so politicized that normal work will be difficult. Moreover, I sense that my resignation in July is still too fresh to fully resume my duties as if nothing happened." In consultation with party leader Thorsten Frei, Spahn will focus on his work in his electoral district and family, writing, "What content areas I will continue with is to be decided with some time distance."

The news drew unease due to his absence on two days of the previous session week, sparked by a photo of Spahn with his son in Sardinia. "Bild" later retracted the photo, stating it was "taken in a private setting" and violated "their own rules." Spahn's absence caused irritation among CDU and CSU lawmakers, leading to a discussion in the budget fraction group after several of the 14 members demanded his removal.

The leadership suggested a cooling-off period until the end of the year, according to multiple reports from "Stern," "Spiegel," and ARD. The step follows Spahn's resignation as party leader in July following the birth of twins with a surrogate, which sparked massive outrage within the party as surrogacy is banned in Germany. The CDU vowed to uphold the ban.