Turkish-German relationship that had been following a downward trajectory since July 2016 coup attempt, has now hit rock bottom.<\/p>\n
Last month, President Erdogan called on the Turkish immigrant community in Germany not to vote for Turkey\u2019s enemies at the country\u2019s September 24 federal elections. He named them as the three main parties- the Christian Democratic Union, led by Chancellor Angela Merkel, the centre-left Social Democratic Party, led by Martin Schulz, and the Green Party co-chaired by Cem Ozdemir.<\/p>\n
With more than a million German citizens with Turkish connections, it was inevitable the issue of Turkey would feature strongly during the election campaign.<\/p>\n
Yet, very few had expected the Sunday\u2019s televised debate between Merkel and Schulz to be dominated by Turkey.<\/p>\n
The Social Democrat leader Martin Schulz was first to raise the stakes. He said that Turkey had \u201ccrossed all the red lines\u201d. If he were to become the next chancellor, he would break off the EU accession talks with Turkey.<\/p>\n
Seeking a fourth term as the chancellor, the experienced politician Angela Merkel was initially more measured. Cornered by Schulz, she also declared that Turkey should not become a member of the EU and she would soon raise the issue of ending the accession talks with her EU partners.<\/p>\n
Turkey\u2019s response was predictably angry. The presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin has accused<\/a> German leaders of fuelling discrimination and racism.<\/p>\n