Winfried Kretschmann Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Winfried Kretschmann

Kretschmann in 2018

Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg

Incumbent

Assumed office
12 May 2011

Deputy

Nils Schmid
Thomas Strobl

Preceded by

Stefan Mappus

President of the Bundesrat

In office
1 November 2012 – 31 October 2013

First Vice President

Horst Seehofer

Preceded by

Horst Seehofer

Succeeded by

Stephan Weil

Parliamentary constituencies

Member of the Landtag of Baden-Württemberg for Nürtingen
Incumbent
Assumed office 11 May 2016
Preceded by	Thaddäus Kunzmann
In office 11 June 1996 – 11 May 2016
Preceded by	multi-member district
Succeeded by	multi-member district
In office 7 June 1988 – 10 June 1992
Preceded by	multi-member district
Succeeded by	multi-member district
In office 3 June 1980 – 5 June 1984
Preceded by	multi-member district
Succeeded by	multi-member district

Personal details

Born

17 May 1948 (age 77)
Spaichingen, Württemberg-Hohenzollern, French occupation zone, Allied-occupied Germany (now Baden-Württemberg, Germany)

Political party

Alliance 90/The Greens (since 1979)

Other political
affiliations

Communist League of West Germany
(1973–1975)

Spouses

Gerlinde Kretschmann, née Kienle

(m. 1975)

Children

3, including Johannes

Alma mater

University of Hohenheim

Occupation

Politician
Teacher

Website

www.winfried-kretschmann.de

Military service

Allegiance

Germany

Branch/service

Bundeswehr

Years of service

1968–1970

Winfried Kretschmann (born 17 May 1948) is a German politician. He has been the Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg since 2011. He is a member of the Alliance '90/Greens party. From 2012 to 2013, he was the President of the Bundesrat. This made him a deputy to the President of Germany. He was the first person from the Green Party to hold these important positions.

Kretschmann has been a member of the state parliament, called the Landtag of Baden-Württemberg, since 1980. He represents the area of Nürtingen. He was a leading candidate for his party in the state elections of 2006 and 2011. He also led his party's group in the parliament.

After the 2011 state election, Kretschmann was chosen as Minister-President on 12 May 2011. He took over from Stefan Mappus. This made him the first Green Minister-President in any German state. He is very popular with people. In the 2016 election, many people wanted him to win. He was re-elected in May 2016. He then led a new government with the Christian Democrats.

On 12 October 2012, he was chosen as President of the German Bundesrat. He held this role from 1 November 2012 to 31 October 2013. This was a special moment because it was rare for someone not from the main parties (CDU/CSU or SPD) to be President.

Early Life and Education
Political Journey
- Starting in Politics
- Leading Baden-Württemberg
Political Ideas
Other Activities
Awards
Personal Life
See also

Early Life and Education

Kretschmann was born in Spaichingen, which is in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. He grew up in a countryside area called the Swabian Alb. He went to a Catholic boarding school in Sigmaringen. After school, he completed his military service. Then, he studied to become a teacher at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart. He studied biology, chemistry, and later ethics. He finished his studies in 1977.

Political Journey

Starting in Politics

From 1973 to 1975, Kretschmann was part of a political group. He later said this was a "political mistake." Today, he focuses more on environmental issues. He is seen as part of the more traditional side of the Green Party.

After teaching for three years, Kretschmann entered politics. He helped start the Green Party in Baden-Württemberg in 1979.

In 1980, Kretschmann was first elected to the Landtag, the state parliament. He led his party's group in parliament from 1983 to 1985. In 1985, he worked in the environment ministry in another state, Hessen, for two years.

Kretschmann returned to Baden-Württemberg in 1988 and was re-elected to the Landtag. He lost his seat in 1992. After teaching again for four years, he returned to the Landtag in 1996. He kept his seat in the 2001 and 2006 elections. In 2002, he was again chosen to lead his party's group in parliament.

Leading Baden-Württemberg

In the 2011 state elections, the Green Party gained a lot of support. This happened after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan. A government made of the Green Party and the Social Democrats won. Kretschmann was then elected as the new Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg. He promised to close nuclear power plants. He also wanted to improve the public school system and set speed limits on highways. Kretschmann also gained support because he was against Stuttgart 21. This was a big building project in the state capital. Kretschmann's election ended 58 years of rule by the Christian Democratic Union party in Baden-Württemberg.

As Minister-President, Kretschmann is part of groups that promote friendship between Germany and France, and Germany and Russia. He has also traveled to many countries. These include Argentina, Brazil, Turkey, Japan, South Korea, Israel, the United States, and China.

In 2013, when German Chancellor Angela Merkel talked about forming a government with the Green Party, Kretschmann was part of the Green Party's team.

In the 2016 state elections, Kretschmann led the Green Party to a big win. They got 30% of the votes, which was more than the Christian Democrats. This was the first time the Green Party was the strongest party in a German state election. Kretschmann was confirmed as the leader of a new government. This government was a team of the Green Party and the Christian Democrats.

In July 2020, Kretschmann's government in Baden-Württemberg made a rule. It banned full-face coverings like burqas and niqabs for all school children. This rule applies to both primary and secondary schools. Kretschmann said that full-face veiling does not fit in a free society.

After the Green Party's success in the 2021 state elections, Kretschmann was re-elected. He started his third term as Minister-President on May 12, 2021.

Political Ideas

Kretschmann is part of the more moderate side of the Green Party. He is sometimes described as having ideas that support businesses. He calls himself a "green conservative." His business-friendly approach has sometimes caused disagreements with his own party. For example, he disagreed with his party's plan for tax increases in 2013. He warned that such moves could harm businesses.

In 2012, another state, Bavaria, went to court. They wanted to change how money is shared between richer and poorer states in Germany. Kretschmann decided that Baden-Württemberg would not join this lawsuit. Instead, he wanted all states to talk and find a solution together.

Kretschmann has often spoken about climate change. In May 2015, he joined Governor Jerry Brown of California. They and other leaders signed an agreement about climate change. This agreement was called the Under2 MOU. At the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, Kretschmann and Brown met in Paris. They wanted to get more leaders to commit to reducing pollution. During the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, Kretschmann supported giving money to help people buy cars. This caused some disagreement with environmental groups.

Other Activities

Central Committee of German Catholics, Member
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Freiburg, Member of the Council
Academy of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, Member of the Board of Trustees
Deutsches Museum, Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Trustees

Awards

Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany

In 2023, Winfried Kretschmann received the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. This is a very high award in Germany.

Personal Life

Kretschmann is a Catholic. He is married to Gerlinde. They have three children, including Johannes. He lives in Sigmaringen.

Winfried Kretschmann facts for kids

Contents