Manuel Hagel, a 37-year-old political figure, has been chosen as the top candidate for the CDU (Christian Democratic Union) in Baden-Württemberg. At the state party congress in Stuttgart, he received an impressive 272 votes out of a total of 290. This victory will allow Hagel to run for the position of Ministerpräsident (Prime Minister) in the upcoming state election on March 8, 2026.
The current polling data suggests that Hagel’s chances of achieving this goal are quite promising. The CDU is expected to secure a strong first place with around 31% of the vote, while the incumbent Green Party, led by Winfried Kretschmann, is projected to be close to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) with approximately 17-20% support. The Social Democratic Party (SPD), The Left (Linke) and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) are trailing significantly in the polls, with estimated support of 10-12%, 7-8% and 5-6%, respectively.
It is worth noting that Winfried Kretschmann, the current Ministerpräsident, will not be seeking re-election in 2026 and Cem Özdemir from the Grünen (Greens) intends to take over his position.
The CDU, currently serving as the junior partner in the governing coalition with the Grünen, aims to attract Kretschmann’s supporters through their new candidate. During the party congress, Hagel praised Kretschmann’s “middle-of-the-road” approach and stated, “Let’s be the club for the regular folks.” He also reassured voters that the legacy of Winfried Kretschmann will be in good hands with the CDU. The party now faces the challenge of winning over voters in Baden-Württemberg and securing a strong position in the upcoming election.