German opposition leader Friedrich Merz recently postponed his visit to Turkey in order to focus on securing his party’s nomination as the next chancellor in the upcoming federal elections. Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), was set to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other officials in Ankara but delayed the trip without providing a public explanation.
Merz officially announced his candidacy for chancellor after gaining support from Markus Soder, the premier of Bavaria and leader of the CDU’s sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU). The CDU is currently leading in polls, and Merz is seen as a strong contender for the chancellorship.
Initially planned to discuss foreign policy matters, such as NATO, Turkey’s relationship with the EU, and Russia’s actions in Ukraine, the trip to Turkey also aimed to address migration issues. Merz’s efforts to work with Turkey on migration were seen as crucial, especially as the recent attack in Solingen heightened concerns over immigration policies and support for far-right parties in Germany.
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