Cem Özdemir wants to become Prime Minister of Baden-Württemberg. Can he do that by copying Winfried Kretschmann?
It’s been apparent for at least a year, now it’s official: Cem Özdemir is doing it. He is running for Prime Minister of Baden-Württemberg and wants to succeed Winfried Kretschmann. After 15 years in office, he will retire in spring 2026, at the age of 77. Özdemir is supposed to continue the success story of the Greens in the southwest and defend the only chief position in a state government.
It was already clear at the end of last year: Özdemir will be one if he dares. He was by far the best-known successor candidate. And he was the one the party trusted to do what Kretschmann also managed: to reach voters who normally have little use for the Greens in traditionally black Baden-Württemberg.
The only question was: Does Özdemir dare too? Because the starting position is extremely bad. In the polls, the Greens have been far away from their 30 percent election results for months. Most recently, the opinion research institutes saw the Greens in the state only at 18 percent – well behind the CDU with more than 30 percent.
So can Cem Özdemir create the green miracle? And if so – how?
The Greens make no secret of the fact that it won’t be easy. Kretschmann himself recently said that the party’s situation was “difficult, but not hopeless.” Greens from Kretschmann’s and Özdemir’s Realo wing in particular always have a welcome culprit at hand for the misery: federal politics.
Kretschmann said the anti-sentiment was less about his politics in the country than that of the traffic lights. Not entirely unselfish, of course. Leading left-wing Greens in the federal government do not deny that the federal government has played a large part in the decline. But not everyone believes that the traffic lights are to blame for everything. There are some who notice symptoms of fatigue in Kretschmann. A hand that is now a little too steady when governing.
The tiredness shouldn’t be a problem for Özdemir at 58 years old. Nevertheless, a very complicated question arises for him and his party: How much Kretschmann should Özdemir copy? What still works today – and what no longer works?
Down-to-earth, pragmatic, liberal – even left-wing Greens say that such a course is also the right one for Cem Özdemir in Baden-Württemberg. This shouldn’t be difficult for Oberrealo. And he has already hinted at this in recent weeks, including with his guest article on migration policy. (Read more about this here.)
But many Greens warn Özdemir not to stick with a Kretschmann copy. Learning Hannah Arendt quotes by heart like Kretschmann might not be the right thing to do is the humorous nature of this criticism.
The more serious version of the criticism is: Özdemir must now put his own narrative forward. So the story of little Cem, born in Bad Urach at the foot of the Swabian Alb as the son of Turkish guest workers, who made it to the top through education: to the top of the Green Party, to the top of the Ministry of Agriculture – and now perhaps to the top of his homeland.
Video | Kretschmann about Özdemir: “Brings everything you need”
This also involves a strategic direction decision. Left-wing Greens in particular emphasize that in this way the party in Baden-Württemberg could not only win votes from the CDU, but also from the SPD. Success through education, it can hardly be more social democratic.
When it comes to content, the Greens also see room for new things after the long Kretschmann era – and deficits. It is said that the Baden-Württemberg business model can no longer function the way it did ten years ago, with Daimler and the suppliers that supply parts for the combustion engines. Be a little bolder in the reorganization.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Political Expert on Cem Özdemir’s Bid for Prime Minister of Baden-Württemberg
Editor: Good afternoon, and welcome to Time.news. Today, we have a special guest with us to discuss the political landscape in Baden-Württemberg and Cem Özdemir’s ambition to succeed Winfried Kretschmann as Prime Minister. Joining us is Dr. Anna Richter, a political analyst specializing in German Green politics. Thank you for being here, Dr. Richter.
Dr. Richter: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Cem Özdemir has made it official that he’s running for Prime Minister. This marks a notable turn in the landscape of Green politics in Baden-Württemberg. What’s your initial take on his decision?
Dr. Richter: Özdemir’s candidacy is indeed significant. He is one of the most recognizable figures within the Green Party, and at 58, he represents a younger alternative to Kretschmann. However, his challenge lies in the party’s current polling figures; the Greens have seen a significant drop to around 18% in recent surveys, compared to their previous highs of 30%.
Editor: That’s correct. While Kretschmann has had considerable success, he’s also stepping down amid some criticisms within the party. Do you think Özdemir can replicate Kretschmann’s appeal to voters who traditionally lean away from the Greens?
Dr. Richter: That’s a crucial question. Kretschmann mastered connecting with moderate conservatives in a predominantly black state, which was pivotal for the Greens’ success. Özdemir’s task is daunting, given current sentiments. He needs to strike a balance between carrying forward Kretschmann’s legacy and carving out his unique political identity.
Editor: Speaking of identity, the article mentions how there are different factions within the Greens, particularly between Kretschmann’s more pragmatic approach and the more left-wing elements in the party. How can Özdemir navigate these waters?
Dr. Richter: He’ll have to be strategic. While many from Kretschmann’s Realo wing support a continuation of his pragmatic policies, there’s a clear warning from within the party against merely being a ‘Kretschmann copy.’ Özdemir needs to present a fresh narrative that resonates with voters, especially considering the criticism of current federal politics affecting the Greens’ local image.
Editor: You mentioned narrative—can you elaborate on what kind of story Özdemir should convey to the electorate that would set him apart?
Dr. Richter: Absolutely. Özdemir has an inspiring personal story that resonates deeply—born as the son of Turkish guest workers, he embodies a narrative of success through education and hard work. By sharing his journey and how it informs his policies, especially on migration and social inclusion, he could effectively connect with a larger audience seeking representation and hope.
Editor: That’s an interesting angle. Some critics suggest that rising anti-Green sentiments may be linked to dissatisfaction with the federal government’s performance. Do you think this sentiment could overshadow Özdemir’s campaign?
Dr. Richter: It could be a double-edged sword. While national issues might influence local sentiment, Özdemir could also leverage these challenges by positioning himself as a pragmatic leader who can deliver results distinctly from federal policies. In politics, local identity often matters more than national narratives, especially when running for state office.
Editor: Lastly, what sort of strategies do you think Özdemir should adopt to effectively revive the Green party’s fortunes in Baden-Württemberg?
Dr. Richter: A focused campaign on local issues—such as housing, public transportation, and economic sustainability—coupled with engaging community dialogue, will be critical. He should also aim to showcase a united party front, while being authentic and open in addressing the party’s challenges and past mistakes, which can help in garnering trust from voters who may be skeptical.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Richter. It’s clear that Cem Özdemir has a challenging road ahead, but with the right approach, he could redefine the Greens’ narrative in Baden-Württemberg for years to come.
Dr. Richter: Thank you for the insightful conversation. It will be fascinating to see how this unfolds in the coming months.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay connected with Time.news for more insights into this evolving political story.