Kretschmann advises Greens to exercise caution: conflict can push boundaries to radicalism
In a significant statement, Winfried Kretschmann, the Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg and a prominent figure in the German Green Party, has emphasised the need for a pragmatic and centrist approach within his party. Kretschmann, who is nearing the end of his 15-year tenure as Minister-President, believes that practical governance and policies addressing current challenges should be prioritised over radical shifts.
Kretschmann has praised candidates like Cem Özdemir for their pragmatic and experienced approach, highlighting qualities such as pragmatism, rootedness, and global perspective as essential for leadership. However, he has expressed criticism towards the youth wing of the Green Party, particularly towards extreme or radical stances taken by some members.
Recent controversial statements by representatives of the Green Youth, such as Jette Nietzard's suggestion of armed resistance against a right-wing government involving the AfD, have sparked debate and concern within the party and wider public. Nietzard's comments about potentially defending Parliament with weapons and resisting "against fascism" — even potentially against the will of voters — have been met with criticism from Kretschmann and others who favour a more measured and responsible political discourse.
Kretschmann's stance on the youth wing's radical rhetoric is one of caution, and he has warned against following such a direction. He believes that a more centrist strategy would keep the party focused on achievable goals and stable democracy rather than militant activism or confrontational politics.
In addition to his comments on the Green Party's youth wing, Kretschmann has also weighed in on other political issues. For instance, he regrets that Stuttgart 21, which he considers poorly planned, is not a modernized main station. Despite this, he does not express concern about whether he will attend the opening of the project or not.
Kretschmann has also criticised the direction of the Greens' youth wing at the federal level, calling it "illusionary and wrong". He warns that choosing such a path will lead parties to the political extremes. Furthermore, he argues against multiple parties in the Bundestag fighting over the most radical redistribution policy in Germany, as this topic is already occupied by the Left and the SPD.
Looking ahead, Kretschmann acknowledges that major challenges, such as the difficult financial situation of municipalities, lie ahead. As he prepares to step down in the spring of 2026, he has announced his intention to leave politics and has expressed that his position as Minister-President has been strenuous and burdensome.
Despite these challenges, Kretschmann remains optimistic about the future of the Green Party. He refers to the Greens as the "only bourgeois opposition party in Berlin" and advocates for his party to position itself in the political center. Kretschmann's centrist strategy, emphasising pragmatic governance and achievable goals, may shape the direction of the Green Party in the coming years.
The centrist strategy advocated by Kretschmann, focusing on pragmatic governance and achievable goals, could be a key policy-and-legislation direction for the Green Party in the future, as he positions the party in the political center. However, Kretschmann has criticized the radical stances taken by some members of the Green Youth, urging a more measured and responsible political discourse to avoid following a militant activist or confrontational politics path.
