Özdemir urges party to accept coalition deal with CDU after 'painful compromises'

Cem Özdemir, the designated Minister-President, has made a strong appeal to his Green party colleagues to ratify the coalition agreement forged with the CDU. Addressing the state party congress in Stuttgart, Özdemir candidly acknowledged that the negotiation process was arduous, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring a partnership based on equality, as he had promised. "This required us to make painful compromises," he stated, highlighting the difficult decisions made during the talks.

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Dafür war es notwendig, auch schmerzhafte Kompromisse einzugehen

Among the most significant concessions, Özdemir noted the necessity of yielding the position of State Parliament President to the CDU. Furthermore, the Greens will relinquish control over the ministries of Transport and Education, which he described as the "greatest price" of the election outcome. However, he stressed a crucial victory: securing a commitment that 15 years of Green-led transport policy will not be reversed. The party also gains the Ministry of Housing Construction, which Özdemir sees as a vital tool for tackling the pressing issue of affordable housing and contributing to social cohesion.

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Dass man das Amt der Landtagspräsidentin der CDU habe überlassen müssen, tue weh.

The coalition contract, spanning over 160 pages, outlines a five-year joint government program. Key provisions include the introduction of a free and mandatory final kindergarten year for all children. Significantly, the Green-Black coalition reaffirms its commitment to achieving climate neutrality for Baden-Württemberg by 2040, five years ahead of the federal government's target. This ambitious environmental goal underscores the region's dedication to climate action, even amidst the political compromises required to form the government.

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Der größte Preis des Wahlergebnisses gewesen, dass man die Ministerien für Verkehr und Bildung habe abgeben müssen.