Posting Scandal Before Election - Fischer Asks Hagel for Forgiveness - Greens and CDU clash in Baden-Württemberg over controversial social media post
Tensions between the Greens and the CDU in Baden-Württemberg have flared up again after a controversial social media post. Green Party lawmaker Simone Fischer apologised for sharing a post that mocked CDU lead candidate Manuel Hagel. The incident comes as both parties prepare for coalition talks following a deadlock in the March state election.
The Greens narrowly won 30.2% of the vote, just ahead of the CDU's 29.7%, leaving each with 56 seats in the state parliament. Both sides now face pressure to find common ground after months of strained relations.
The dispute began when Fischer shared a post featuring a photo of Hagel with the headline 'Official Warning' and the text 'Hide your Kids'. The post referenced an eight-year-old video in which Hagel made admiring remarks about an underage schoolgirl. Green MP Zoe Mayer had previously circulated the same video, sparking earlier accusations of sexism.
Fischer initially stayed silent before deleting the post. She later apologised directly to Hagel, calling her actions a mistake. The CDU responded by accusing the Greens of running a *'dirty campaign'* and warned against *'business as usual'* under green leadership. The row adds to existing tensions after the March 11, 2023, election, where the Greens secured 30.7%—just above the CDU's 29.7%. Since then, the CDU's Stuttgart branch has resisted automatic coalition talks, demanding concessions toward *'bourgeois common sense'* or risking failed negotiations. Despite the friction, the Greens have now invited the CDU to formal exploratory talks, as renewing their coalition remains the only viable option for government formation. By early 2026, no further breakthroughs or crises in the negotiations have been reported. Fischer's apology, however, has been viewed within the Greens as a step toward rebuilding trust between the two parties.
The apology from Fischer has eased some strain, but deep divisions remain as both parties enter formal talks. With no other realistic path to a majority, the Greens and CDU must now navigate their differences to form a stable government. The outcome will determine whether Baden-Württemberg's political deadlock can finally be broken.
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