The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, has “categorically” rejected the holding of a potential referendum campaign on German soil. There have been calls for such a referendum, relating to bringing back the death penalty in Turkey.
Charles Michel had already indicated last Saturday that Belgium would, in no way, tolerate such a referendum being held within its jurisdiction.
The German Chancellor stated, “The death penalty [in Turkey] is a subject which we are categorically refusing to entertain.”
She went on, “Why we should allow such a campaign, when we are not required to, is beyond us. We will not do it.”
She was speaking in an interview, which was broadcast today (Tuesday), on the German regional radio station WDR (Westdeutscher Rundfunk).
The German government had already made its position clear last Friday. The government said that if Turkey organises a referendum on bringing back the death penalty, Germany will not allow voting upon the issue to take place within its jurisdiction.
This is Germany’s stance despite 1.4 million Turkish voters living within its borders.
Steffen Seibert, the German government spokesman, stated on Friday, “Politically, it is in no way conceivable that we could allow such a consultation concerning a measure, which clearly conflicts with our constitution and also European values.”
Back in April, the electoral campaign in Germany, in favour of the referendum to strengthen the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s powers had already had a negative effect. It merely served to poison relations between Turkey and Germany.
The Turkish Head of State even accused the German government of Nazi practices, after ministers were prevented from campaigning within German territory upon Erdogan’s powers.
The Brussels Times
