Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) - Baden-Württemberg's Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann is counting on the fact that the Tübingen election winner Boris Palmer will soon become a full member of the Greens again. State party and the mayor of Tübingen should come to an agreement soon, said Kretschmann on Tuesday in Stuttgart. Palmer's membership in the Greens is suspended because of arguments about breaking taboos and allegations of racism. "I'm happy about his re-election," said Kretschmann. The 50-year-old Palmer is a "successful mayor, especially in the green core issues". He has succeeded in advancing Tübingen economically and in terms of sustainability. The citizens of the university town have honored this.
Palmer, who ran as an independent candidate, won Sunday's mayor election with 52.4 percent in the first ballot. The candidate of the Greens, Ulrike Baumgärtner, ended up with only 22 percent. The state association in Stuttgart congratulated Palmer on Monday on his re-election. When asked if the election would affect dormant party membership, a spokeswoman said talks have already been arranged for next year.
