Baden-Württemberg's Greens: Özdemir breaks with the Kretschmann method

Cem Özdemir, the minister-president of Baden-Württemberg and leader of Germany’s Green Party in the state, has signaled a departure from the political approach of his predecessor, Winfried Kretschmann. Unlike Kretschmann, who largely avoided direct involvement in federal-level party debates, Özdemir plans to engage more actively with both internal party discussions and national politics. This shift marks a potential turning point for the Greens in Baden-Württemberg, which have historically maintained a distinct identity within the broader party structure. Kretschmann, the first Green minister-president in Germany, was known for his cautious approach to federal politics. He did not attend national party conferences with the expectation of influencing broader party strategy or reshaping its direction. His influence at the federal level remained limited, and the state party operated under a principle of peaceful coexistence, balancing traditionalist elements with the pragmatic demands of governing a large region. The result was a lack of significant interest from the federal party leadership in Baden-Württemberg’s specific needs and strategies. Under Özdemir, this dynamic could change over the coming years. It is certain that personnel changes will occur within the state party. Both current leaders of the regional branch, Lena Schwelling and Pascal Haggenmüller, have announced their resignations. Their departure opens the door for new leadership that aligns more closely with Özdemir’s vision for the party. The rules governing the upcoming party conference in October are set to undergo significant revision. Among the candidates vying for the position of state chairman is Jan-Lukas Schmitt, a former economic journalist and former employee of the Green Party's federal office. Born in Waldshut, Schmitt comes from a family of educators, a teacher father and a lawyer mother. He joined the Greens in 2016 after initially covering the state legislative election campaign as a journalist. Schmitt is considered part of the party's realpolitik wing. During his time in the federal office, he worked on financial policy under the leadership of federal chairpersons Omid Nouripour and Ricarda Lang. His personal motto, "head for numbers, heart for climate", reflects his dual focus on practical governance and environmental issues. For Özdemir, Schmitt played a strategic role in the election campaign and acted as a key negotiator during coalition talks. If elected, Schmitt is expected to form a strong partnership with the state government, creating a cohesive axis between the ministry and the state leadership. On the left flank of the party, Clara Wellhäußer is running for the position. A 27-year-old law student currently working on her dissertation in constitutional law, she hails from Bietigheim-Bissingen. Her father works in the automotive industry, while her mother is a schoolteacher. She joined the Greens in 2017 with the goal of countering the rise of the Alternative for Germany (AfD). A feminist and member of the Freiburg city council for two years, she previously served as a staff member for European Parliament member and leftist figure Michael Bloss. Wellhäußer represents a younger, more progressive faction within the party. While there are no immediate plans for a comprehensive reform similar to those undertaken at the federal level, the state party aims to become more campaign-ready and modernized ahead of the next elections. The existing structures, shaped during the party’s early days, no longer fit the needs of a long-term ruling party with 25,000 members. In the initial phase, the rules for submitting proposals at the party conference will be revised. Starting in autumn, 75 instead of 20 membership votes will be required to submit proposals. Additionally, the state executive committee will gain the authority to initiate referendums independently. Further discussions will center around the abolition of the separation between office and mandate, as well as whether the minister-president should hold voting rights in the party council, into which he is currently co-opted.