Important: These projects are plans from the election program. This shows the goals the party would like to implement in Baden-Württemberg over the next five years.
However, whether and how the projects will be implemented depends on many factors, for example:
- which issues are prioritized politically
- whether a majority in the state parliament can be found for individual measures
- and with which party the Greens will ultimately form a government (coalition)
The last point is particularly important. When two or more parties govern together, they conclude a coalition agreement. In this agreement, they specify which projects they want to implement together.
Currently, a coalition between the Greens and the CDU is considered likely. However, both parties hold very different positions on the issues of migration, asylum, and right of residence. It is therefore uncertain which points from the election manifesto will later be included in the coalition agreement.
What plans do the Greens want to implement in Baden-Württemberg?
Baden-Württemberg should be seen as a land of immigration
In their election manifesto, the Green Party clearly states that Baden-Württemberg is a country of immigration. They see migration and immigration as an opportunity—both for the economy and for society.
In their election manifesto, they emphasize that migrants bring knowledge, labor, and new perspectives to the country. The party wants this potential to be more widely recognized and utilized.
Integration: Language, Work, and Participation
The Greens see integration as a mutual process. In its election manifesto, the party lists four pillars on which successful integration should be based: language, work, social participation, and recognition of the free democratic basic order.
Access to language is particularly important to the party. Immigrants should be able to learn German as early as possible, regardless of their current residence status. There are plans to offer more language courses at all levels, as well as special courses for people in rural areas and single parents.
In addition, the Green Party wants to continue the "VwV Deutsch" program. This program supplements the language courses offered by the BAMF and is aimed at migrants in Baden-Württemberg, including people who have been living there for some time. The aim is to support more people in learning German and thereby improve their chances on the labor market.
The Greens also see work as an important step towards successful integration. That is why they are campaigning for faster access to the labor market for refugees. Women with a migrant background in particular should receive targeted support to make it easier for them to enter the workforce.
More options for right of residence
In the area of right of residence, the Greens want to make greater use of existing legal options.
According to the party, well-integrated tolerated persons in particular should be given better prospects. People who have been living in Germany for a long time, working or undergoing training and earning their own living, should be more likely to be given the prospect of permanent residence.
The work of the Hardship Commission should also continue to be supported. According to the Green Party, its recommendations should be implemented more often, unless there are proven threats to internal security.
Background: The Hardship Commission examines individual cases to determine whether a person should be allowed to remain in Germany despite not having a residence permit. This is possible, for example, if someone has been living here for a long time, is well integrated, or if deportation would be particularly harsh. If the Hardship Commission considers a case to be one of hardship, it can recommend to the Ministry of the Interior that the person concerned be granted the right to remain in Germany.
Immigration of skilled workers should be encouraged
Another important issue is the immigration of skilled workers. Like many other regions, Baden-Württemberg is facing a shortage of qualified workers. The Green Party therefore wants to make it easier for foreign skilled workers to immigrate.
To this end, the state agency for the immigration of skilled workers is to be further strengthened. There are also plans to improve communication between companies in Baden-Württemberg and skilled workers from abroad.
Measures for so-called pre-integration are also to be expanded. This includes, for example, enabling people to learn German in their country of origin.
In addition, the Greens want to speed up procedures for recognizing foreign professional qualifications. Immigration authorities are also to be made more modern, digital, and efficient.
Deportations remain part of migration policy
At the same time, the Greens make it clear in their election manifesto that migration must be subject to rules. Anyone who does not have a right of residence and no prospect of staying should leave the country again—provided there are no obstacles to deportation. Voluntary return should always take precedence over forced deportation.
Forced repatriations should focus primarily on individuals who have committed serious crimes or pose a threat to public safety.
At the same time, the Greens oppose the deportation of trainees and employees subject to social security contributions if they have not committed any serious crimes.
Asylum and protection for refugees
In its election manifesto, the party emphasizes that the fundamental right to asylum and the Geneva Convention on Refugees are non-negotiable. People fleeing war, persecution, or violence should continue to be able to find protection in Baden-Württemberg.
Particularly vulnerable groups should be given special support. The Greens want to provide special protection for queer refugees—people who are persecuted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This applies above all in initial reception centers.
Overall, they plan to provide more support for refugees in reception centers. This includes psychological counseling and assistance for people who have experienced trauma.
Another project is a new special program for Yazidis who fled the genocide. The aim is to make it easier for them to bring their families to Germany so that separated families can live together again in Baden-Württemberg. At the federal level, the party is calling for a halt to the deportation of Yazidis.
What do the Greens say about Naturalization?
The Greens Naturalization any specific plans regarding Naturalization in their election manifesto. However, this is not surprising, as Naturalization issues Naturalization regulated at the federal level and are not decided by the states.
As members of the Bundesrat, representatives from Baden-Württemberg can make recommendations on new laws—for example, laws concerning citizenship. However, concrete changes are decided by the Bundestag.
What happens now?
The final official election results will be published in the next few days. This will officially confirm how many votes each party received. However, experience shows that the results usually change only slightly after election night.
After that, coalition talks will begin. Since a majority in the state parliament is necessary to form a government, a coalition between the Greens and the CDU is likely. Both parties will have to make compromises.
Which projects from the Green Party's election program will actually be implemented in the end will therefore only become clear once the coalition agreement has been finalized.
