Cem Özdemir Declares Victory in Baden-Württemberg Election

Cem Özdemir of the Green Party has been declared the winner of the Baden-Württemberg state election, succeeding Winfried Kretschmann, who did not seek re-election. The victory marks a significant moment for the Green Party in Germany.

A Shift in Leadership for Baden-Württemberg

Özdemir announced his victory on Sunday evening at his party’s election celebration, stating, “We won the election.” MSN reports that polls indicated Özdemir’s popularity was a crucial factor in the outcome.

Who is Cem Özdemir?

Cem Özdemir is poised to become the first politician with Turkish roots to lead a German federal state. Deutsche Welle details Özdemir’s background, noting his parents came to Germany from Turkey in the 1960s as guest workers. He was born in 1965 in Lousy Urach, Baden-Württemberg, and obtained German citizenship at age 18.

Özdemir has a long history with the Green Party, joining in 1981. He previously served as Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture in the cabinet of Chancellor Olaf Scholz from 2021 to 2025 and co-chaired the Green Party from 2008 to 2018. Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of his political career.

“Anatolian Swabian” and Integration

Özdemir often refers to himself as an “Anatolian Swabian,” referencing his birthplace in the Swabian region of Baden-Württemberg and his parents’ origin in Anatolia, Turkey. He rejects the idea of being a model for integration, asserting that Germany has always been his home. DW recounts his response to attacks from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in 2018, where he affirmed his belonging in Germany.

Green Party Support

Özdemir acknowledged the Green Party’s past challenges but emphasized the current level of support for the party and its issues, stating that suggestions of the party’s decline were premature. 24Brussels highlights the significance of this win amidst rising support for the far-right.