Stuttgart, Germany — May 13, 2026
Cem Özdemir was elected Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg on May 13, 2026, marking the second time a Green Party politician has held the position in Germany.
Historic Transition in Baden-Württemberg
Özdemir succeeds Winfried Kretschmann, who stepped down after 15 years as Minister-President, making him the longest-serving head of government in the southwestern German state. Kretschmann, also a member of the Greens, was the first politician from the party to hold such a position in Germany.
The election of Özdemir solidifies the Greens' influence in Baden-Württemberg, a state traditionally dominated by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The transition marks a significant moment for the party, which has steadily gained political ground in the region over the past decade.