Greens' Özdemir avoids Habeck in key state election bid

Özdemir distances Greens from Habeck in Baden-Württemberg's tight election race

The Green Party's lead candidate in Baden-Württemberg, Cem Özdemir, is running a campaign that keeps his distance from federal co-leader Robert Habeck. With no joint appearances scheduled, Özdemir is instead focusing on regional issues and his own political image. The move comes as the Greens fight to hold their ground in a tightly contested state election.

Özdemir has chosen to campaign alongside controversial figure Boris Palmer rather than Habeck. This decision reflects a broader strategy centred on regional pride, pragmatism, and ties to the automotive industry—key themes where Habeck's presence might not align. Many voters in the state still associate Habeck with the unpopular heating legislation, which remains a contentious issue.

Polling currently places the Greens in second at 21%, behind the CDU's 29% and just ahead of the AfD's 20%. Özdemir's goal is to succeed Winfried Kretschmann, the long-serving Green state premier, but securing a majority will be difficult given the numbers. His shift toward a more centrist-liberal (*bürgerlich*) stance has helped attract moderate voters, contrasting with Habeck's federal struggles. While both Özdemir and Habeck have aimed for the political centre, their approaches differ. Özdemir's emphasis on experience and regional focus has resonated locally, whereas Habeck's federal strategy—marked by policies like the Building Energy Act—has faced setbacks. The Greens' broader radical programme on economic and ecological issues remains a point of tension, even as both figures present themselves as centrists.

The election in Baden-Württemberg remains a critical test for the Greens. Özdemir's campaign, built on regional identity and a break from federal controversies, will determine whether the party can hold its position. The outcome will also signal how well his centrist-liberal approach can counter both the CDU's lead and the AfD's rise.