Özdemir rejects self-promoters in Baden-Württemberg cabinet reshuffle

A bold move against political climbers reveals Özdemir's strategy. Could Palmer's quiet influence reshape Baden-Württemberg's future?

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2026 April 27 . 6:05 PM

1 min read

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Özdemir rejects self-promoters in Baden-Württemberg cabinet reshuffle

In an interview with Handelsblatt for its Tuesday edition, Cem Özdemir stated that he would not appoint anyone as minister who actively campaigned for the position. He noted that Boris Palmer had not done so: "He's smart enough."

For years, Palmer was seen as a rebel within the Green Party and faced repeated sharp criticism from his own ranks. In 2023, he left the party amid a dispute.

Yet Özdemir and Palmer still describe themselves as friends. "We work closely together," Özdemir told Handelsblatt, calling Palmer an important advisor on issues such as housing, rent control, climate protection, and efficient governance.

The Green Party's lead candidate—who hopes to continue the green-black coalition—also warned against a three-way alliance of the CDU, SPD, and FDP, as favored by CDU leader Manuel Hagel. "No one in Baden-Württemberg wants a coalition built on conflict, with a minister-president who has never held government office," Özdemir said. "That would be Lindner versus Scholz 2.0," he added, drawing a parallel to the failed federal traffic-light coalition.