Turkey should not join the EU, says Angela Merkel
As she prepares for German elections later this month, the Chancellor says Turkey will never be a member of the EU

German leader Angela Merkel yesterday changed her position on Turkey's bid to join the EU as she took part in a TV election debate, saying: "It is clear that Turkey should not become a member of the EU."
The Chancellor was debating Martin Schulz, leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), who was president of the European Parliament until earlier this year, standing down to challenge Merkel to lead Germany.
When is Germany's election?
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Europe's biggest economy goes to the polls on 24 September. Merkel, leading the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, is seeking a fourth term in office.
Who is in the lead?
"Two years ago," says Deutsche Welle, it looked like Merkel was "done for" – but now she seems to be a safe bet, well ahead of Schulz in opinion polls. In 2015, Merkel was in the doldrums. Then she put her political future on the line with a policy of welcoming refugees. This principled stance has won her respect, especially among the young, while the far-right movement she defied has lost momentum.
If Merkel wins the election, will she govern outright?
No – she is sure to lead a coalition government, once again. However, latest polls suggest that rather than the grand coalition of the last parliament, Merkel may be in charge of a combination of her own CDU and the FDP (Free Democratic Party) liberals. A similar coalition governed germany from 2009 to 2013.
Why did Merkel U-turn on Turkey?
Merkel foreshadowed last night's U-turn late last week when she said it might be time to "rethink" relations with Turkey, after another two German citizens were arrested there. Germany says Turkey is now holding 12 of its citizens on "political grounds", as the BBC reported. But the Chancellor was "outfoxed" by Schulz last night, and "bounced" into getting off the fence and promising she would speak to her EU colleagues to agree to end Turkey's accession talks, says Reuters.
Who won last night?
Merkel won the TV debate, according to a survey by Infratest Dimap for ARD television, which suggested her performance was viewed as more convincing overall by 55 per cent of viewers, compared to 35 per cent who favoured Schulz.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Gandhi arrests: Narendra Modi's 'vendetta' against India's opposition
The Explainer Another episode threatens to spark uproar in the Indian PM's long-running battle against the country's first family
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
How the woke right gained power in the US
Under the radar The term has grown in prominence since Donald Trump returned to the White House
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK
-
Codeword: April 24, 2025
The Week's daily codeword puzzle
By The Week Staff
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
By Abby Wilson
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Who is the Hat Man? 'Shadow people' and sleep paralysis
In Depth 'Sleep demons' have plagued our dreams throughout the centuries, but the explanation could be medical
By The Week Staff
-
Why Assad fell so fast
The Explainer The newly liberated Syria is in an incredibly precarious position, but it's too soon to succumb to defeatist gloom
By The Week UK