The federal state election is considered important for several reasons.
The Greens' legendary regional leader Winfried Kretschmann is leaving office after three terms, which the conservative CDU hoped would mean success for the party in the elections. Baden-Württemberg is also one of Europe's most important and most heavily industrialized areas - and a backbone of the German economy.
But the CDU's hopes were dashed.
At 8 p.m. on Sunday, the Greens and their ministerial candidate Cem Özdemir had 30.7 percent, while the CDU and its candidate Manuel Hagel stood at 29.7 percent.
Social Democrats are halved
The Social Democrats hoped to reverse a downward trend. They failed. The party, which is in government with the CDU, continued the decline seen in several places in Germany, and received only 5.5 percent - in reality a halving. This meant that the party was only barely bigger than the liberal FDP - which has been in decline for a long time - received just over 4 percent, down 6 percentage points.
The third issue was the position of the far right. Alternative for Germany (AfD) continued to grow, and according to exit polls received just over 18 percent - an estimated increase of almost 9 percentage points.
Other parties have so far chosen to turn their backs on the AfD, at least at the national level.
Merz hopes
The election results will affect the future German political landscape, as the government in Baden-Württemberg has significant influence over decisions made in the capital, Berlin.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz highlights the importance of winning in the federal state: “The southwest has always been the powerhouse (das Powerhouse) of the republic,” he wrote before the election.
"In uncertain times, you always need the CDU," he said - to which around 30 percent agreed.
