Politics of Germany

German Chancellor Angela Merkel defeated Social Democrat Martin Schulz in a TV debate last night, according to a study by ARD Television.

Turkey on Sept. 4 harshly criticized the hardened tone used by German officials adopting an "anti-Turkey stance" and obstructing Ankara's EU prospects weeks before the country's Sept. 24 federal elections, amid ongoing tension between the two NATO allies.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was the comfortable winner of Sunday night’s TV debate against her political rival Martin Schulz of the Social Democrats, according to a phone poll by state broadcaster ARD. The poll showed Mrs. Merkel received a 55% positive response compared to her opponent who got only 35%.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sept. 1 sharply criticised Turkey's detention of two further German citizens, saying Berlin should react decisively and perhaps rethink its relations with Ankara.

Under the circumstances, Merkel said she did not think it was appropriate to carry out further discussions with Ankara about its participation in a European Union customs union. 

Germany will veto the updating of a customs union between Turkey and the European Union, electronic newspaper New Europe reports.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel informed European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Aug. 30 that her country would veto an update of the Customs Union agreement with Turkey, daily Hürriyet has learned.

One day before their meetings in Berlin, Merkel announced they will convey the German government's position to Juncker regarding the Customs Union issue.

More than 1,000 criminal complaints for high treason have been filed against German Chancellor Angela Merkel since the height of the refugee crisis in 2015, local media reported yesterday.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel on Tuesday condemned North Korea's latest ballistic missile test and said Germany backed U.S. efforts to persuade Pyongyang to return to the negotiating table.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed hope that Greece would implement the new batch of measures during her press conference after the summer season. “I cannot make any promises, I do not implement the Greek policies. However, I believe that Greece will ultimately benefit from more jobs positions and prosperity”, she told reporters.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Aug. 29 at a Berlin press conference that she wanted to have better relations with Turkey, but the relationship between Berlin and Ankara was currently at "a very complicated phase."

"I would very much like having better relations, but we have to face reality … It's a very complicated phase in our relations," she said.