May 1, 2026
Greens, CDU revive state ‘pizza alliance’ agreement in Baden-Württemberg
The Green Party and conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) have reached a coalition agreement in the south-western state of Baden-Wurttemberg after weeks of tough negotiations.
The Greens’ lead negotiator Cem Ozdemir and the CDU’s Manuel Hegel said both sides had fought hard, and described the outcome as much more than a minimal agreement and a “reform coalition”.
Outgoing head of state Winfried Kretschmann, who has led the state since 2011, is set to be succeeded by his running mate Green Ozdemir. The deal will be presented next week, followed by party approval and Ozdemir’s election as head of state on May 13.
The coalition partners have already decided on the allocation of state ministries. The black-green coalition of the Greens and conservatives in Germany is also known as the “pizza coalition”, because young politicians from the CDU and the Greens started meeting informally in a pizzeria in Bonn, when the city was still the capital of Germany.
As junior partner, the CDU will hold key portfolios including the interior, economy and transport ministries, while the Greens will oversee finance, social affairs, environment and housing. Major personnel decisions remain unresolved, including whether Hegel, the CDU’s head of state, will become interior minister.
The two parties, which have been ruling together since 2016, were tied on 56 seats after the March 8 election, complicating talks and raising tensions during the campaign.
Ozdemir, who is set to become the first German head of state of Turkish heritage, said the coalition would not simply divide responsibilities along party lines. Instead, they emphasized a shared approach on security, climate policy and economic strength. He pledged to link climate protection with economic growth while reducing the burden on businesses.
Hagel said the government aims to deliver practical solutions rather than headlines, highlighting education and equal opportunity as key priorities.