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Baden-Württemberg prepares for leadership shift after Kretschmann's 13-year era

A political era ends as Baden-Württemberg's iconic Green leader steps aside. Can Özdemir's CDU coalition reshape the state's future?

, and Administrator

2026 May 8 . 4:01 AM

1 min read

The image shows a person walking in front of the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany. The... — The image shows a person walking in front of the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany. The building is adorned with windows, pillars, arches, and statues, and is surrounded by flags with poles. There are steps leading up to the entrance, and railings surrounding the building. In the background, there are trees and a clear blue sky.

Baden-Württemberg prepares for leadership shift after Kretschmann's 13-year era

Baden-Württemberg is preparing for a change in leadership after 13 years under Winfried Kretschmann. The 77-year-old, Germany’s longest-serving minister-president, will step down on 13 May, with Cem Özdemir set to take his place. Özdemir secured a narrow victory in the March state elections and is now forming a coalition with the CDU. Kretschmann became the first and only Green Party leader to head a German state government when he took office in 2011. His tenure made him both the oldest and longest-serving minister-president in the country. Earlier this year, he announced he would not seek re-election, ending a political era in the southwestern state.

Six days before his expected departure, Kretschmann visited Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Chancellery. The meeting between the two veteran politicians—Kretschmann at 77 and Merz at 70—marked a symbolic moment ahead of the leadership transition. Özdemir’s path to the top job began with a tight win in the March elections. His party fell short of an absolute majority, leading to negotiations with the CDU. The coalition deal now paves the way for his election as minister-president next week.

The handover on 13 May will bring Özdemir into office as Kretschmann’s successor. His coalition with the CDU follows a closely contested election, setting the stage for a new political direction in Baden-Württemberg. The change ends Kretschmann’s record-breaking 13 years as the state’s leader.