Green Party's Cem Özdemir to Run as Top Candidate in Baden-Württemberg State Election 2026
Southwest Greens elect Özdemir as their front-runner candidate.
Heidenheim - Former Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir will lead the Baden-Württemberg Greens in the upcoming 2026 state election. The party conference in Heidenheim saw Özdemir secure 97% of the delegate votes as the Green party's candidate for Minister President, with 194 votes in his favor, three against, and three abstentions.
Current Minister President Winfried Kretschmann, who will not seek reelection for a fourth term, has endorsed Özdemir, praising him as down-to-earth, pragmatic, and well-suited to the position of Minister President. Kretschmann believes that Baden-Württemberg needs a strong, experienced leader to carry on the Green Party's legacy.
Özdemir and his CDU party rival, parliamentary group leader Manuel Hagel, will face off in the race to succeed Kretschmann. At the time of the Greens' party conference, Hagel had not yet been officially nominated as the CDU's top candidate, though he was widely expected to secure the position following the party's internal vote.
A recent SWR poll indicates that Özdemir is the preferred candidate of Baden-Württemberg voters if they were given the opportunity to elect the Minister President directly. According to the poll, 39% of respondents would choose Özdemir, while only 18% would select Hagel. However, polling results for the 2026 state election themselves remain inconclusive, with the Green Party currently trailing the CDU in public opinion surveys.
In his application speech, Özdemir emphasized his desire to create a new chapter for Baden-Württemberg and pointed out his willingness to work cooperatively with all parties. He also expressed a commitment to unity and avoidance of divisive politics, promising to bring people together rather than fostering divisions.
It is worth noting that Environment Minister Thekla Walker will take the first position on the Green Party's state list for the 2026 election, with Özdemir scheduled to follow in second place due to internal party regulations that require a gender-balanced voting list. This approach ensures that at least half of the candidates on the list are women, with the odd-numbered positions being reserved for male candidates.
Given the Green Party's traditionally strong presence in Baden-Württemberg and their positive standing with voters, the party is well-positioned to continue its successful run at the state level. However, stronger competition from the CDU and other parties could potentially disrupt the Greens' approach, making the 2026 election an interesting test of political dynamics in the region.
- In his application speech, Cem Özdemir, the Green Party's top candidate for the 2026 Baden-Württemberg state election, emphasized his desire to create a new chapter for Baden-Württemberg and pointed out his willingness to work cooperatively with all parties. He also expressed a commitment to unity and avoidance of divisive politics, promising to bring people together rather than fostering divisions.
- As the Green Party conference unfolded, discussions around policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news were thrown into the spotlight, with particular focus on Cem Özdemir's proposals for the state's environment, economy, and social welfare. The radio stations buzzed with debates and discussions about his vision for Baden-Württemberg, setting the stage for a keenly contested election against his CDU rival, Manuel Hagel.
