The state parliament in Stuttgart elected Cem Özdemir (Greens) as the Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg on Wednesday. Özdemir succeeds Winfried Kretschmann, who did not run for re-election. With 93 out of 157 votes, he did not receive full support from his green-black coalition, as 26 members voted against him and there were four abstentions.
Following his election, Özdemir was immediately sworn in, declaring: “So help me God.” In his new government, Manuel Hagel (CDU) will serve as Minister of the Interior and Deputy Minister-President, while Danyal Bayaz (Greens) remains Minister of Finance. Other ministerial positions were also confirmed, including Andreas Jung (CDU) as Minister of Education and Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut (CDU) as Minister of Economic Affairs.
The green-black coalition holds a total of 112 votes, indicating that at least 19 members did not support Özdemir. This could suggest internal tensions within the coalition. State Parliament President Thomas Strobl (CDU) presented Özdemir with a running jersey in the state colors of black and yellow, inscribed with “Baden-Württemberg love” as a symbolic gift.
Özdemir is the first head of government with Turkish roots in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany. His election marks a significant moment in the country’s political landscape.
