Former German Green Party leader and current Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir wants to become the new prime minister of Baden-Württemberg. “I will do it,” the 58-year-old said today on the X platform. “#2Ö26 I want to become Prime Minister of my wonderful country.”
Winfried Kretschmann of the Green Party no longer wants to run for state elections in the spring of 2026 after three terms as head of government.
Ozdemir also addressed voters in a message. “I would like to serve you, dear citizens, as Prime Minister of Baden-Württemberg and give everything for this country,” Ozdemir said.
Support from Kretschmann
The Green Party has been the leading political party in Baden-Württemberg for more than a decade, thanks in large part to their party leader Kretschmann, who is very popular. In the 2021 state elections, the Green Party took first place with 32.6 percent of the vote, ahead of the CDU with 24.1 percent. Opinion polls indicate that the junior coalition partner is now far ahead of the Green Party.
Kretschmann immediately threw his support behind his preferred successor. “Cem Oezdemir brings everything Baden-Württemberg needs,” he said. Ozdemir has government experience and is a valuable figure across party lines. He has proven that he has a backbone and does not shy away from tough challenges.
Oezdemir has yet to be nominated as the best candidate by the regional federation, which is considered a formality.
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