Cem Özdemir: Grüner Hoffnücker in the election campaign for Baden-Württemberg!

Cem Özdemir: Grüner Hoffnücker in the election campaign for Baden-Württemberg!

Heidenheim, Deutschland - Cem Özdemir, the former Federal Minister of Agriculture, was chosen today at the state party conference in Heidenheim with an overwhelming 97 percent of the votes as the top candidate of the Baden-Württemberg Greens for the 2026 state election. With 194 yes votes, 3 no votes and 3 abstentions, Özdemir is now in a key position to secure the green government era under Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann, who will not start again after three terms. The Greens have played an important role in Baden-Württemberg in the past 15 years under Kretschmann, now Özdemir wants to continue the legacy and at the same time take new ways.

In his application speech, Özdemir made it clear that he did not want to "compete", but would like to open a "new chapter for Baden-Württemberg". This ambition could also be challenged by the current surveys, which the CDU see at 31 percent in front of the Greens with 20 percent and the AfD with 19 percent. Özdemir pointed out that despite the CDU's success reports, which should not be overconfident, the voter bond was crucial. The fact that the CDU has little concern about its certainty of winning could also be alarming for the Greens, while the Greens have to show a clear attitude to strengthen their position.

competition and personal survey values ​​

Özdemir will accept the challenge of competing against Manuel Hagel, the CDU party and parliamentary group leader, who was also elected as the top candidate. However, personal survey values ​​speak for Özdemir: 39 percent of the respondents would choose him as prime minister, while only 18 percent would vote for hail. This discrepancy in the voter allocations is considered advantageous for the Greens. Özdemir is praised by 48 percent of citizens for his political work, while Kretschmann collects even higher values ​​of 61 percent. 89 percent of the Greens supports Özdemir, which gives him solid support.

As part of the party congress, a state list for the election was also set up. This is important due to a new right to vote: For the first time, a second vote for the state list is awarded. In accordance with the party's statute of women, Özdemir takes second place on the list, while Minister of the Environment Thekla Walker takes 1st place. This shows the intentions of the Greens to promote women in probable political positions.

political agenda and challenges

In the election campaign, Özdemir plans to focus on central issues of the economy, in particular the stimulus of the crumbling auto industry through electromobility. He also emphasizes the importance of personal discussions with the citizens to gain trust and support. These approaches could be decisive to dissuade the voters from the existing and often perceived CDU positions.

The CDU has seen the Saxons in the past as competent in many policy areas, which is a challenge for the Greens. Nevertheless, it is important to reflect on the success of the 2016 state election when the Greens won despite the poor survey values. In order to mobilize the voters and possibly promote a coalition with more than 61 mandates, Özdemir must address a broad electorate and present itself as the suitable candidate.

Overall, the outcome of the upcoming election is uncertain, but the new top candidate has positioned itself through clear goals and an enlightened strategy. The coming months will decide whether the Greens will claim their position of power or whether the CDU, led by Hagel, will take over the political fortunes in Baden-Württemberg.

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