The Green Party’s leading candidate for the upcoming Baden-Württemberg state election, Cem Özdemir, is advocating for sweeping economic reforms, sparking debate and raising questions about the direction of German policy. In a recent podcast interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), Özdemir explicitly called for measures reminiscent of the controversial “Agenda 2010” reforms implemented in the early 2000s, signalling a willingness to challenge established norms and potentially alienate some within his own party.
Özdemir’s proposals directly target the current pension system, suggesting the abolition of the option to retire at 63 – a policy implemented to cater to workers with extensive contributions. He characterized the current blended approach, combining the option of penalty-free retirement after 45 years of contributions alongside incentivized continued employment schemes (the so-called “Aktivrente”), as “irrational”. The Green politician championed a dynamic linking of retirement age to life expectancy, a concept that would likely necessitate adjustments and potentially unpopular increases as life expectancy continues to rise.
Beyond pensions, Özdemir’s stance on the EU’s planned 2035 ban on new internal combustion engine vehicles continues to be a point of contention. While committed to transitioning towards electric mobility, he maintains that a more flexible approach is necessary, acknowledging the ongoing need for hybrid vehicles to bridge the gap. This position contrasts with the uncompromising timelines set at the EU level and could be interpreted as a pragmatic response to the challenges of rapid technological adoption and infrastructural development, or as a capitulation to industry pressure.
Furthermore, Özdemir voiced critical concerns regarding the tenor of current political discourse in Berlin, describing the ongoing debates as effectively acting as “an AfD support program” a scathing indictment of the perceived mainstreaming of extremist viewpoints. Having served as Federal Minister of Agriculture, Özdemir’s observations carry significant weight, highlighting anxieties about the fragmentation of the political landscape and the potential normalization of far-right agendas. Despite his considerable influence, Özdemir explicitly stated he holds no intentions of seeking a return to a leadership role within the Green Party, characterizing a decade as party chairman as functionally equivalent to nearly two decades in other political organizations – a revealing commentary on the demanding nature of German politics and potential weariness with the constant pressure of leadership. The call for sweeping economic reform and candid critique of current political trends suggests a significant internal pressure within the Green Party, indicative of a potential shift in approach ahead of the crucial state election.