Winfried Kretschmann has been Prime Minister of Baden-Württemberg as May 2011 – more than 14 years. But next year it will be over. A new state parliament will be elected there on March 8th. The 77-year-old will not run again.
How does the only Green head of goverment in a federal state to date view his term of office? And what are the major challenges facing the country? kretschmann takes stock in an interview.He talks about climate change, the economic crisis and democracy under pressure.## 14 Years of Green Rule in Baden-Württemberg: A Retrospective
Winfried Kretschmann, the first and so far only Green Prime Minister, has ruled Stuttgart for 14 years. But how green were his policies and how did the southwest change as a result?
29.11.2025 | 3:53 min
… on climate change
Climate protection – it is the identity of the Greens. The topic became more and more critically importent due to various natural disasters and the Fridays For Future movement. In retrospect, though, one has to realize that “that was what you call hype,” admits Kretschmann.
It was just a wave, and it wasn’t sustainable.
Winfried Kretschmann, Prime minister of Baden-Württemberg
Today, climate change is a core issue “no longer at the center of
Kretschmann: End of Combustion Engines No Longer Realistic
the automotive industry is undergoing dramatic change, with thousands of jobs being cut as China transitions from a car market to a competitor.
As a result, Baden-Württemberg’s Minister President Winfried Kretschmann stated that the end of combustion engines is “simply no longer realistic.” While there remains consensus on electromobility, he emphasized that “other technologies will continue to play a role in the transition.”