New job for Özdemir? Survey gives clues - but things are fermenting in eco circles

Mercury New job for Özdemir? Survey gives clues - but things are fermenting in eco circles Article by Florian Naumann • 4 hours Kretschmann successor wanted New job for Özdemir? Survey gives clues - but things are fermenting in eco circles Cem Özdemir is one of the best-known Greens. Does he strive for higher things? In any case, a balancing act is currently required. Berlin/Stuttgart - Cem Özdemir's appointment as Agriculture Minister was one of the bigger surprises in the Scholz cabinet in 2021: the Green celebrity was not considered a proven agricultural expert - unlike Anton Hofreiter, who has long been highly regarded. The decision was also fabricated by a dispute between “Fundis” and “Realos”. The nomination sent the Greens a welcome signal to people with a migration background. And Özdemir is considered a man with skills in communicating with the public: “Schatza must mer mit de Leit,” is a motto handed down by the minister. Özdemir could soon face the next level of difficulty in the “Schwätza” with a wide range of people: an important Green position will soon become available in Baden-Württemberg. However, there are also risks - criticism is growing not only among farmers, but also in ecologically active circles. Özdemir favorite to succeed Kretschmann? Survey sees Greens far ahead What it's about: Baden-Württemberg will have a new prime minister in 2026. Since 2011, Winfried Kretschmann has been the first and only state leader of the Green Party. But the next election is over for the now 75-year-old. We are looking for a candidate who is also compatible with the political center and is well known. The profile could fit the Swabian Özdemir. A survey now seems to provide further arguments for Özdemir: The survey currently sees the Greens as the most popular candidate for Baden-Württemberg's prime ministership - far ahead of possible competitors from the Greens and CDU. According to the Allensbach Institute survey, 23 percent of those surveyed preferred Özdemir as Kretschmann's successor. CDU state politician Thomas Strobl and the Swabian Thorsten Frei (also CDU), who works in Berlin, follow in second and third place with 9 and 6 percent. In the summer, Cem Özdemir accompanied Winfried Kretschmann on a visit to his hometown of Bad Urach. In the survey presented by the Baden-Württemberg State Gazette on Wednesday (December 27th) - but not clearly dated - the Greens' competitors appear to have no chance: Finance Minister Danyal Bayaz comes in at three percent, state parliamentary group leader Andreas Schwarz at two percent. “However, he is also the best-known, and that should not be underestimated,” said Allensbach pollster Michael Sommer. In fact, politicians can gain massive popularity in an election campaign that has been prepared for a long time - especially since 33 percent of those surveyed in the survey were in favor of an early handover of office to a Kretschmann successor. However, “pale” candidates are also a risk. In any case, a lot can still happen between now and spring 2026. Özdemir faces anger from farmers – but is also under pressure to succeed However, this also applies to Özdemir. Recently, the Green Party has been heavily criticized for the loss of subsidies for agriculture - and farmers are also an important target group in Baden-Württemberg. In their opinion, Özdemir's opposition to the plans in the traffic light budget dispute apparently didn't help much. At least that's what a massive whistling concert and a questionable comment from the podium at a protest demonstration in Berlin suggested. The farmers now want to intensify their protest with a “week of action”. At the same time, a second problem appears to be manifesting itself: As a federal minister and potential state leader, Özdemir not only has to be compatible with the masses - but also has to satisfy the Green Party base. The Union also wants to avoid the former with targeted attacks. It also seems questionable that Özdemir is currently making Green voters happy. In an analysis of the taz, which is popular in Green circles, there was recently a massive condemnation. Green anger on Özdemir? “He doesn’t have an ass in his pants” The list of allegations in the article is long: Özdemir did not even come close to meeting the expectations of a Green Agriculture Minister: When it came to the planned ban on glyphosate, Özdemir gave in to the FDP, the share of agriculture in CO2 emissions was increasing, The extinction of species continues unabated and the conditions for many animals in German stables are “ethically not justifiable”. “Özdemir has no ass in his pants,” Greenpeace employee Martin Hofstetter previously told the paper: The minister was ingratiating himself with the farmers and the CDU in Baden-Württemberg in the subsidy dispute. Instead of opposing, Özdemir should rather point to the large “subsidy drip” for agriculture in Germany.