Cem Özdemir's Greens have narrowly won the Baden-Württemberg state election with 30.2 percent of the vote ahead of the CDU's 29.7 percent. Both parties secure 56 seats each in the state parliament, while the SPD plummets to a historic low of 5.5 percent. The FDP and Left fail to enter the parliament.
In the Baden-Württemberg state election on March 8, 2026, Cem Özdemir's Greens secured a narrow victory. According to preliminary results, they received 30.2 percent of second votes, down from 32.6 percent in 2021. The CDU led by Manuel Hagel followed with 29.7 percent, up 5.6 percentage points from the previous year. The AfD placed third with 18.8 percent, doubling its 9.7 percent from 2021.
The SPD suffered a debacle with just 5.5 percent, its worst result ever in a state election. Top candidate Andreas Stoch announced his resignation as state and parliamentary group leader. Both the FDP and The Left failed to reach the 5 percent threshold with 4.4 percent each; FDP state leader Hans-Ulrich Rülke plans to step down. Seven percent of votes went to other parties.
In the 154-seat state parliament, Greens and CDU each gain 56 seats, the AfD 35, and the SPD 10. The two major parties together hold a two-thirds majority. Voter turnout rose to 69.6 percent from 63.8 percent last time. For the first time, 16- and 17-year-olds could vote, and voters had two votes: one for direct candidates and one for party lists.
Özdemir declared victory: "Dirges for the Greens and our issues were premature." He praised the achievements of the green-black coalition over the past ten years and offered the CDU a "partnership on equal terms." Hagel conceded defeat: "This is a defeat for us." He described it as an enormous burden for his family and took responsibility. Outgoing Minister President Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) is retiring after 15 years.
The election kicks off the super election year 2026 under Chancellor Friedrich Merz's black-red federal government. The Greens staged a strong comeback despite initial polling deficits.
