The Green Party’s top candidate for Baden-Württemberg’s upcoming state election, Cem Özdemir, is issuing a stark warning to his own party, urging a reassessment of perceptions surrounding a tendency towards perceived moral superiority. In an interview with “Die Zeit”, Özdemir cautioned against a paternalistic approach that alienates potential voters and hinders the party’s electoral prospects.
Özdemir, who served as Federal Minister for Agriculture and later for Education within Germany’s now-fracturing “traffic light” coalition government – a period preceded by Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck’s stewardship of the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action – acknowledged the persistent criticism that the Greens frequently adopt a lecturing tone. He emphasized that his own regional Green party in Baden-Württemberg is striving for a more collaborative approach, prioritizing joint problem-solving with citizens rather than imposing prescriptive solutions. “We Greens in Baden-Württemberg want not to regulate every area of life, but to change things together with the people” he stated.
The candid assessment arrives as the Green Party grapples with declining approval ratings and faces a crucial state election in March. Özdemir’s comparatively smooth exit from the federal government – a contrast to the more turbulent departures of other coalition members – has, he suggests, been influenced by his Baden-Württemberg roots and a heightened awareness of the importance of economic well-being. He attributes this sensitivity to his regional background, noting that an understanding of the economic ecosystem is deeply embedded in the region’s character.
Furthermore, Özdemir highlighted the critical need for broader acceptance of climate action measures, arguing that prioritizing consent and understanding is paramount to achieving meaningful progress. “Whoever wants more climate protection must first and foremost consider the acceptance of climate protection” he stressed, implicitly critiquing approaches that focus solely on ambitious targets without adequate public buy-in. His comments suggest a strategic shift towards a more pragmatic and relatable platform to appeal to a wider electorate in Baden-Württemberg, hoping to counteract the perception of the Greens as out of touch with the concerns of ordinary citizens.
