Winfried Kretschmann has been Minister-President of the State of Baden-Württemberg since May 2011. He cultivates a new style of politics and has set himself the target of implementing a process of ecological and social renewal in the State.
Winfried Kretschmann was born on May 17, 1948 in Spaichingen. He grew up in a liberal Catholic household which encouraged free thinking and debate, while engaging fully in the rich variety of the ecclesiastical year. From his village in the hills of the Schwäbische Alb, he attended the Grammar School in Oberschwaben.
After passing his university entrance examination, Winfried Kretschmann first completed his compulsory military service and went on to study biology and chemistry at the University of Hohenheim prior to taking his grammar school teaching qualification in 1977. He then held posts as a teacher in Stuttgart, Esslingen, Mengen and Bad Schussenried.
