Left party criticizes Erdogan's visit to Berlin
The Left Party has criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's planned visit to Germany. Erdogan has "a history of supporting terror" in Syria and the Middle East and is suppressing the democratic opposition at home, said party leader Martin Schirdewan in Berlin on Monday. This is not a partner for a credible German foreign policy. "Erdogan must not be a normal state guest for Germany." There are fears of new "dirty deals" between the German government and the Turkish president.
Erdogan is coming to Berlin this Friday. In addition to the Chancellor, he will also meet Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. After the terrorist attack on Israel with around 1200 dead, Erdogan called the Islamist Hamas "a liberation organization". In his own words, he broke off contact with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In view of the bombardment of the Gaza Strip by Israel, Erdogan spoke of "fascism".
The Federal Government's decision to welcome Erdogan as a state guest has been met with opposition, given his questionable record as head of state, including supporting conflicts and terror in Syria and the Middle East, as well as suppressing democratic opposition at home. There are concerns that another controversy, similar to the past "dirty deals," might arise during Erdogan's war-touched visit to Germany.
Source: www.dpa.com
