Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan is running for re-election in June, and is hoping that Germany's large Turkish community can help him secure the votes he needs. But his request for electoral help from the German government has ruffled feathers.
This June, Erdogan wants to see ballot boxes placed in the Turkish Embassy and Turkish consulates in Germany. Germany's Interior Minister at the time agreed, at least in principle, to provide support, and tentatively promised police protection. Swedes, Iraqis and Australians are already able to vote in their embassies in Germany. The German government had previously rejected all requests from Turkish politicians -- out of fear of attacks.
The situation was not helped by a campaign speech Erdogan delivered in Germany 27 Feb: He said that Turkish, not German, must be the first language of the children of Turkish parents. "You are my citizens!" he told the crowd. |