The Green Party and the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) have agreed a coalition to govern Baden-Württemberg after weeks of tough negotiations. Lead negotiators Cem Özdemir (Greens) and Manuel Hagel (CDU) described the outcome as more than a minimal compromise, calling it a “reform coalition.”
Outgoing premier Winfried Kretschmann, who has led the state since 2011, is set to be succeeded by Cem Özdemir. The agreement will be presented next week, followed by party approval and Özdemir’s planned election as state premier on May 13.
Ministerial allocation has been decided: the CDU, as junior partner, will hold key portfolios including the interior, economy and transport ministries. The Greens will take finance, social affairs, environment and housing. Some personnel decisions remain unresolved, such as whether CDU state head Manuel Hagel will become interior minister.
The alliance — sometimes called a “pizza coalition” because young politicians from both parties once met informally in a pizzeria — governed together since 2016 and were evenly matched after the March 8 election, each securing 56 seats. That tie complicated talks and contributed to tense negotiations.
Özdemir, who would become Germany’s first state premier of Turkish heritage, said the coalition will not simply split responsibilities along party lines. He emphasized a shared approach focusing on security, climate policy and economic strength, promising to combine climate protection with economic growth while easing burdens on businesses.
Hagel stressed the government’s intent to deliver practical solutions rather than headlines, naming education and equal opportunity as core priorities. Both parties framed the deal as pragmatic and reform-oriented, aiming to balance environmental goals with economic competitiveness and public safety.