Cem Özdemir, the Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg and a member of the Green Party, has elaborated on his call for ban proceedings against the AfD in various individual federal states. Özdemir told the “taz” that he cannot ignore the fact that the AfD has taken a strongly nationalistic and “peasant-like” path, particularly in Thuringia and Brandenburg, leading him to advocate for a ban. However, he noted that this specific situation is not present in every single federal state.
The Minister-President made a clear distinction between a “peasant-like” ideology and a pure “German national” one. “I simply cannot accept a German national attitude,” he stated. However, he added that he recognizes a significant segment of the population that holds such views. He commented that for a period of time, this segment was centered on the far right within the CDU, referencing the former CDU in Hesse, and that it is now searching for a new home in the post-Merkel era.
Özdemir explained that a purely “German national” party would still be covered by the constitution, and thus the AfD must make a definitive choice. He emphasized, “If they take the peasant-like path, which they currently are, then there is an article in our constitution that addresses it.” He referred to Article 21, which states that parties that attack the free democratic basic order or endanger the existence of the Federal Republic through their goals or the behavior of their followers are unconstitutional.
Despite his strong performance in the March election, achieving 30.2 percent of the vote, Özdemir has been discussed as a potential Chancellor candidate for the Greens in some circles. However, he declined this role in an interview with the “taz”, saying, “Please, I have the most beautiful job this country can offer: Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg. I am very happy with it and have truly enough to do.”
In other matters, Özdemir is promoting a “shift toward the center in society” for the Greens. He believes that achieving 30 percent approval requires a “centrist politics,” and the goal in Baden-Württemberg is to demonstrate that being Green and being centrist are not contradictory. He dismissed criticism of his approach, particularly from the Green Youth, as minority positions. “The Green base consists of the members and the voters. My politics and my decisions have a clear majority with both of them. The Green Youth at the federal level would likely not pass the five-percent threshold among our electorate,” he asserted.
Additionally, the approval ratings also apply to Boris Palmer, whom Özdemir appointed to the voluntary Council for State Modernization. Palmer, the former mayor of Tübingen, had resigned from the Greens in 2023 amid regular local opposition. He is now tasked with advancing bureaucracy reduction in the state. Özdemir stated, “We need someone who has a ruthlessly honest, tough look at things from the outside. I made it clear to him: This is also a chance for you to correct your relationship with the Greens.”
