But the Greens, which have led coalition governments in Baden-Württemberg since 2011, narrowly secured the largest share of the vote with 30.2 per cent, down from 32.6 per cent in the previous 2021 state election. The party secured 11.6 per cent in last year’s nationwide federal elections.

Wuerttemberg's state election, marking a significant political shift by teaming up with Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservatives. Despite the Greens' success, the AfD solidified its position as a major opposition party across Germany,

Cem Özdemir is set to become the first politician with Turkish roots to lead a German federal state. His Green Party won elections in the wealthy southwestern region of Baden-Württemberg.

Exit polls show the German Greens narrowly ahead of the CDU in a key state election, with the far-right AfD nearly doubling its vote share.

Wuerttemberg's state election, surpassing Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservatives despite pre-election trailing. Projections show Greens at 30.4%, CDU at 29.7%, and AfD at 18.6%. The election impacts coalition dynamics and reflects sluggish economic reforms under Merz,