"This is primarily a personal victory for Cem Ozdemir. The chancellor told journalists in Berlin on Monday, referring to the Green politician, who won the election, albeit by a narrow margin. The 60-year-old Ozdemir is set to become the new head of government, continuing a coalition with the conservatives."
"During the election campaign, Ozdemir had distanced himself from leftist Green Party positions and refrained from speaking out on climate protection measures such as phasing out gasoline-powered cars. After all, the crisis-ridden automotive industry is an important economic sector in Baden-Wurttemberg."
"Ozdemir is now set to become the first state premier in the history of the Federal Republic whose parents were not born in Germany. His parents came to Germany from Turkey in the 1960s."
Baden-Württemberg's regional election resulted in an unexpected Green Party victory, defying Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU expectations to reclaim the southwestern state. Despite over 70% of voters expressing dissatisfaction with federal government policies, Merz attributed the CDU's defeat to Cem Özdemir's personal appeal rather than federal governance issues. Özdemir, 60, will lead a coalition government with the conservatives, becoming the first state premier in German history whose parents were not born in Germany. During campaigning, Özdemir distanced himself from leftist Green positions and avoided climate protection discussions, prioritizing the automotive industry's economic importance. The SPD coalition partner suffered dramatically, receiving only 5.5% of the vote.
Read at www.dw.com
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