Joschka Fischer: Kretschmann's Legacy Belongs to Us Greens - Baden-Württemberg's election sparks bitter fight over Kretschmann's political legacy
With the remark that Winfried Kretschmann's legacy would be in safe hands with him, CDU leader Manuel Hagel delivered a striking soundbite. But Green Party veteran Joschka Fischer fired back in protest.
Green Party stalwart Joschka Fischer has accused CDU lead candidate Manuel Hagel of trying to usurp Winfried Kretschmann's political legacy. Speaking at the Greens' traditional Ash Wednesday political rally in Biberach, Fischer said he had read Hagel's claim that Kretschmann's legacy would be in good hands with him. "That's what you call trying to steal an inheritance," Fischer declared.
"We won't allow it," he insisted. "Kretschmann's legacy belongs to the people of Baden-Württemberg—but it also belongs to us, the Greens." If Hagel wanted an inheritance to claim, Fischer suggested, he should look to Stefan Mappus instead. "But keep your hands off Kretschmann!" Mappus, a CDU politician, served as minister-president of Baden-Württemberg from February 2010 until his defeat in the March 2011 election, after which Winfried Kretschmann took office.
Hagel had previously stated in a speech ahead of his election as CDU state leader: "Winfried Kretschmann's political legacy will be in good hands with us." He is vying to succeed Kretschmann—who is not seeking re-election—as minister-president in the state election on March 8. The Greens have nominated Cem Özdemir as their candidate.
Fischer praised Özdemir as the best possible candidate, emphasizing that in times of multiple crises, the state needed leaders with experience and political expertise. "That's why we're backing Cem Özdemir."
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