Franziska Brantner, chairwoman of the Green Party in Baden‑Württemberg, rejected a suggestion from the CDU that a rotational, part‑time state premier be considered in the upcoming cabinet formation. In a conversation with the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” on Wednesday she stated, “There will not be a part‑time Minister‑President in Baden‑Württemberg”. She pointed out that the Greens had abolished the practice of rotating leadership about forty years ago and that the CDU had no interest in a “lifestyle” part‑time arrangement.
Brantner described the forthcoming coalition talks as a chance. “It won’t be easy, of course. But it could also be an opportunity to tackle the big questions for the state together now” she said. She expressed strong confidence that Cem Özdemir would succeed if elected.
When questioned about a campaign against CDU candidate Manuel Hagel over his remarks about schoolgirls, Brantner denied any campaign. “That was not a campaign. It was a televised interview that the CDU apparently overlooked. Nothing personal” she replied. “I’ve been in politics for a long time, and my experience is that whenever women discuss such issues, they end up being criticized”.
She also agreed with Özdemir’s comment that everyone can make a mistake. “That settles the matter for us” she said. “If the CDU relies solely on that video in their campaign analysis, they will not achieve better results in the future”.
Reflecting on lessons from the Green campaign for future state elections, Brantner said that copying everything is not an option. “We know that the state comes first, above the party. Citizens in these times place great importance on that. We judge ideas not by their source but by their merits” she explained. The Green Party’s mission, she added, is captured by an old Volksbank slogan: “We clear the path so that entrepreneurs can implement their ideas more easily and quickly. We are here to help people realize their potential”.
