Nazi talk has to stop, says angry Merkel
GERMANY: German Chancellor Angela Merkel has demanded again that Turkey stop comparing German bans on rallies by Turkish officials to Nazi tactics, and says her government reserves the right to block future appearances unless Ankara complies with German law.
Berlin is growing increasingly frustrated about Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan repeatedly accusing it of applying ‘‘Nazi methods’’ by banning rallies aimed at drumming up support among Turks in Germany for a referendum that would strengthen the power of his presidency.
‘‘My demand that Turkey should stop Nazi comparisons remains in force, with no ifs or buts,’’ Merkel said at a technology fair in Hanover yesterday.
Ties between Turkey, Germany and other European countries have deteriorated in recent weeks amid growing tensions over the April referendum vote and concern over an increasingly authoritarian tone from Ankara.
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus yesterday said Turkey was using metaphors about ‘‘facism’’ because it was worried about European countries forgetting their history and falling into the trap of Nazism once again.
Merkel said the German foreign ministry had warned Ankara in an ‘‘unambiguous’’ diplomatic communication that Turkish politicians could speak in Germany only if they complied with the country’s laws, which explicitly ban malicious disparagement of the German government.
If those laws were violated, ‘‘the German government reserves the right to take all necessary measures, including a reexamination of all appearances approved as part of the diplomatic communication’’, she said.
Merkel’s spokeswoman said that ‘‘Nazi comparisons are unacceptable in any form’’, and it was up to Turkey to tone down its rhetoric and avert damage to relations with Germany.
Josef Schuster, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, said the comparisons demeaned the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust and distracted from the real threat of growing anti-Semitism and right-wing populism.
German lawmakers from across the political spectrum also voiced concern about reports that Turkish consulates have confiscated the passports of Turks in Germany. Stephan Mayer, a member of Merkel’s conservatives, said it was ‘‘not acceptable’’ for Turkey to pressure its citizens through such measures.
Erdogan has also worsened Turkey’s row with Europe by urging expatriates across the continent to produce large families as a protection against discrimination.
‘‘Go live in better neighbourhoods. Drive the best cars. Live in the best houses. Make not three, but five children ... That will be the best response to the injustices against you,’’ he said at a rally in the central Turkish city of Eskisehir.
Erdogan, a father of four who is well known for his pious Muslim beliefs, last year angered liberal and secular Turks when he implored women to have at least three children.
- Reuters, The Times