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?
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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.
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