Cem Özdemir: Germany’s first Turkish-origin state premier

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

STUTTGART, GERMANY — Cem Özdemir, the lead candidate for the Green Party, emerged victorious in the Baden-Württemberg parliamentary elections held on Sunday, March 8, 2026, positioning him to become the first person of Turkish descent to lead a German state.

In a closely contested race that kept the country on edge, Özdemir managed to outperform Manuel Hagel of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), securing a narrow but decisive lead. This victory paves the way for a coalition government, likely between the Greens and the CDU, with Özdemir at the helm as State Premier. This outcome is not only a triumph for the Green Party but also a significant milestone for the Turkish-origin community in Germany and the broader landscape of political diversity in Europe.

From Tokat to Urach: A family’s migration story

Cem Özdemir's life story is a quintessential example of the "guest worker" (Gastarbeiter) success narrative that has shaped modern Germany. Born on December 21, 1965, in Urach, a town in the state of Baden-Württemberg, Özdemir is the son of Abdullah and Nihal Özdemir. His father, Abdullah, migrated to Germany from the Pazar district of Tokat, Turkey, in 1963 to seek employment in the country’s booming industrial sector. His mother followed a year later, working as a tailor.

Growing up in the Swabian region, Özdemir integrated deeply into the local culture while maintaining his heritage. After completing his secondary education, he pursued vocational training in early childhood education. His academic journey continued into higher education, where he studied Social Pedagogy, eventually graduating as a social pedagogue in 1994. During his student years, he was far from a passive observer of society; he worked as an instructor at youth centers and contributed to local newspapers as a freelance journalist. His youth was also marked by a passion for sports, notably serving as a handball goalkeeper for TSV Urach.

A political career defined by firsts

Özdemir's political trajectory began in 1981 when he joined the Green Party. Since then, his career has been a series of historical breakthroughs for minority representation. In 1994, he made headlines by being elected to the German Federal Meclis (Bundestag) alongside Leyla Onur, making them the first two individuals of Turkish origin to serve as members of the federal parliament.

His influence soon expanded beyond national borders. Between 2004 and 2009, he served in the European Parliament, where he was an active member of the foreign affairs committee and a staunch advocate for Turkey's European Union membership. In 2008, he achieved another "first" by being elected co-chair of the Green Party, becoming the first person of Turkish descent to lead a major political party in Germany. He held this leadership position until 2018, overseeing a period of significant growth for the Greens.

After returning to the Bundestag in 2013, he became a central figure in federal politics. In the 2021 federal elections, he achieved a record-breaking 40% of the vote in the Stuttgart I constituency, the highest first-vote share for the Green Party in Germany at the time. This propelled him into the federal cabinet as the Minister of Agriculture, making him the first Turkish-origin federal minister in German history. In 2024, amid the restructuring of the federal coalition, he also took on the role of Minister of Education and Research, a rare instance of a politician managing two federal ministries simultaneously.

The road to the 2026 state victory

On October 25, 2024, Cem Özdemir officially announced his candidacy for the state premiership of Baden-Württemberg for the 2026 elections. His nomination was met with overwhelming support from his party; at the party congress on May 24, 2025, he was elected as the lead candidate with 97% of the delegates' votes.

According to reports by DW, Özdemir’s campaign was characterized by a focus on "stability" and "the interest of the state" over partisan bickering. This resonated with the Swabian electorate, who have long valued the pragmatism of the outgoing Green Premier, Winfried Kretschmann. By positioning himself as a seasoned statesman rather than a radical ideologue, Özdemir was able to capture the center-right voters who were undecided between the Greens and the CDU. The narrow victory on Sunday confirms that his message of being an "Anatolian Swabian" who understands the industrial heartland of Germany has been accepted by the public.

Personal identity and public persona

Cem Özdemir has often described himself as an "Anatolian Swabian" (anatolischer Schwabe), a term that encapsulates his dual identity. In interviews, he has characterized himself as a "secular Muslim" and has been a vegetarian since his youth. He is also a well-known supporter of the VfB Stuttgart football club, further cementing his cultural ties to the region he is now set to lead.

His personal life has also seen new beginnings in tandem with his political ascent. After separating from Arjantinli journalist Pia María Castro in 2023, with whom he has two children, Özdemir began a relationship with Flavia Zaka, a Canadian environmental and human rights lawyer. The couple married on February 14, 2026, in Tübingen, in the midst of the intense election campaign. The wedding, described as a quiet but significant event, underscored Özdemir's ability to balance a high-pressure political life with personal milestones.

Looking forward: Challenges and coalitions

Now that the ballots have been counted, the focus shifts to coalition negotiations. While the Greens finished first, they will require the support of the CDU to form a stable majority in the Stuttgart State Parliament. Political analysts expect these negotiations to be smooth, given that the two parties have co-governed the state for the past decade.

However, the challenge for Özdemir will be to step out of the long shadow of Winfried Kretschmann, who was exceptionally popular across the political spectrum. As the first Turkish-origin State Premier, Özdemir will be under intense scrutiny not just regarding his policies on the automotive industry and climate change, but also as a symbol of Germany's evolving social fabric. His administration is expected to prioritize the green transformation of the state's economy while ensuring social cohesion in an increasingly polarized political environment.

This election is seen as a bellwether for federal politics, indicating that "stability" remains the primary concern for German voters in 2026. For Cem Özdemir, the journey that began in a small Swabian town as the son of immigrants has reached its most significant peak yet, proving that the glass ceiling in German regional politics has finally been shattered.

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