German Elections: Schulz calls for end Turkey EU accession talks in debate with Merkel - by S.Wagstyl and G. Chazin

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

German French Relations: Schulz to Macron: Forget Merkel, I’m your man

Martin Schulz, the Social Democrat candidate for chancellor in Germany’s election this fall, paid a visit to Paris with a message for French President Emmanuel Macron: I’d be a better partner than Angela Merkel.

In a speech at Sciences Po university on Thursday, the former European Parliament president called for a “new political departure, an impetus for the future.”

“Germany and France — not alone, but of course with other partners — should be that impetus,“ Schulz said. “And I am addressing the French president directly.“

“After the presidential election in France and the Bundestag election in Germany in the autumn, there is a time window that must be used,” he added, offering his support for a series of EU reforms proposed by Macron.

Read more: Schulz to Macron: Forget Merkel, I’m your man – POLITICO