German Chancellor Angela Merkel of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) debated main challenger Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) Martin Schulz. Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland via Reuters
German Chancellor Angela Merkel of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) debated main challenger Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) Martin Schulz. Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland via Reuters

Merkel makes U-turn over Turkey EU membership in debate with election rival Schulz



German Chancellor Angela Merkel has pledged to stop Turkey becoming a member of the European Union, in a television debate with her main political rival Martin Schulz.

Mrs Merkel, who is seeking a fourth term as German leader, said if re-elected, she would convince other European leaders to end negotiations with Turkey to join the bloc.

"The fact is clear that Turkey should not become a member of the EU," the Christian Democratic Union party leader said.

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Turkey began accession talks to join the EU in 2005, however, talks have halted amid criticism of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's crackdown on political opponents.

During the debate on Sunday evening, Mrs Merkel appeared to shift her position on the issue after Social Democrat (SPD) leader Mr Schulz promised to end the accession negotiations.

"If I become German chancellor, if the people of this country give me a mandate, then I will propose to the European Council that we end the membership talks with Turkey," Mr Schulz said.

"Whether we can win over all the countries for this I don't know. But I will fight for this."

The centre-right chancellor warned against the move at a time when 12 German citizens are being held in the country on political charges.

"I do not intend to break off diplomatic relations with Turkey just because we're in an election campaign and want to show each other who is tougher," she said.

However, Mrs Merkel returned to the issue later on in the debate, making a u-turn by promising to end the negotiations.

The CDU has consistently opposed Turkish membership of the EU, although negotiations began shortly before Mrs Merkel was elected to power. She has previously said she would respect the talks.

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Cryopreservation: A timeline
  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
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RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile

Started: 2016

Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel 

Based: Ramallah, Palestine

Sector: Technology, Security

# of staff: 13

Investment: $745,000

Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

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Rating: 1/5

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal / Ubisoft Toronto
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Windows
​​​​​​​Release Date: April 10

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Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

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