The Green Party’s top candidate for the upcoming Baden-Württemberg state election, Cem Özdemir, has issued a stark internal warning against the perception of condescension, highlighting a need for a course correction in the party’s approach to public engagement. In an interview with “Die Zeit” Özdemir cautioned against a lingering image of the Greens as overly didactic, a perception he believes hampers their effectiveness and broadens the gap between the party and potential voters.
Özdemir, who previously served as Federal Minister for Agriculture and later for Education within Germany’s coalition government, emphasized the importance of a localized and collaborative approach, particularly within his home state. He praised the Baden-Württemberg Greens for actively avoiding a prescriptive governance model, instead prioritizing shared solutions and recognizing the complexities of everyday life. “We Greens in Baden-Württemberg want not to regulate every aspect of life, but to change things together with the people” he stated.
Reflecting on his departure from the Berlin coalition, Özdemir subtly contrasted his experience with that of other prominent figures, notably Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck, who oversaw the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. “I had the good fortune of not being abruptly dismissed from the coalition like others” he remarked, attributing this perhaps to his roots in Baden-Württemberg and its ingrained sensitivity towards economic wellbeing-a characteristic he underscored as being deeply embedded in the region’s culture.
Beyond internal dynamics, Özdemir addressed the critical issue of climate policy, advocating for a focus on public acceptance as a prerequisite for ambitious action. “Whoever wants more climate protection must first and foremost pay attention to the acceptance of climate protection” he argued, signaling a strategic shift from demanding immediate regulatory changes towards understanding and addressing the concerns of the wider population. This perspective suggests a recognition that the Greens’ traditional approach, often prioritizing environmental imperatives, may require recalibration to secure lasting societal support for climate action. The upcoming election in Baden-Württemberg may well serve as a testing ground for this revised strategy.