German Greens name Cem Özdemir as their top candidate for the state election in Baden-Württemberg next year. At a party convention in Heidenheim, the former federal agriculture minister received nearly 97 percent of the votes.
In his bid to become the party’s top candidate, Özdemir pledged to continue the course set by his predecessor, Winfried Kretschmann, a fellow Green. He emphasized the need for the state to be further transformed ecologically and to reduce its energy dependence.
Despite his party’s efforts, the Greens currently trail behind in opinion polls. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is seen as the clear frontrunner, with around 31 percent of the vote. The Greens, under the leadership of Winfried Kretschmann, are projected to receive around 17 to 20 percent, roughly on par with the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is expected to garner around 19 percent. The Social Democratic Party (SPD) is expected to receive 10 to 12 percent, the Left Party 7 to 8 percent and the Free Democratic Party 5 to 6 percent, with a significant gap between these parties and the Greens.