Brücken bauen

Change at the top
Minister President Winfried Kretschmann leaves, Cem Özdemir arrives: Baden-Württemberg faces a new chapter

Winfried Kretschmann, the first Green Minister President of a state in Germany, was considered sensational, almost exotic in 2011. For 15 years, the co-founder of the state Greens steered the economic and technological state of Baden-Württemberg through ups and downs with various coalition partners. The big goal: to bring ecology and economy together. With his policy of being listened to, Kretschmann fundamentally changed and modernized the political culture of the state - always following his ideal of a vibrant civil society. He marks the end of an era that has shaped Baden-Württemberg.

Inevitably, however, the focus now turns to the future: Cem Özdemir, the Green Party's candidate for Minister President, is ready to take on responsibility and provide new impetus. It will not be easy for him in these times: High-tech factories planned with euphoria are being put on ice, the car industry is weakening, "green" is seemingly being phased out. In a joint discussion, we want to find out from Winfried Kretschmann and Cem Özdemir what political answers are now needed so that Baden-Württemberg can stay on course and at the same time break new ground.

Moderated by Michael Zeiß, retired editor-in-chief of SWR.