Martin Schulz, Angela Merkel’s main rival in the German parliamentary election, on Sunday called for the scrapping of Turkey’s EU accession talks, amid escalating tensions between Berlin and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Speaking in a head-to-head television debate with the chancellor, the social democrat leader said that Germany had to “talk to European partners” about what would be a radical policy shift. Mr Schulz said: “When I am chancellor I will break off Turkey’s entry talks with the EU.”
His demand, which goes against a longstanding SPD tradition of friendly ties with Ankara, was the main surprise of the only television debate involving Ms Merkel in the run-up to the September 24 poll.
Ms Merkel responded by promising to consult EU partners about reaching “a joint position . . . so that we can end these accession talks”. She added: “The fact is clear that Turkey should not become a member of the EU.”
Read More: Schulz calls for end to Turkey EU accession talks in TV debate
Speaking in a head-to-head television debate with the chancellor, the social democrat leader said that Germany had to “talk to European partners” about what would be a radical policy shift. Mr Schulz said: “When I am chancellor I will break off Turkey’s entry talks with the EU.”
His demand, which goes against a longstanding SPD tradition of friendly ties with Ankara, was the main surprise of the only television debate involving Ms Merkel in the run-up to the September 24 poll.
Ms Merkel responded by promising to consult EU partners about reaching “a joint position . . . so that we can end these accession talks”. She added: “The fact is clear that Turkey should not become a member of the EU.”
Read More: Schulz calls for end to Turkey EU accession talks in TV debate
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