Turkey and the EU
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Erdogan’s post-referendum Turkey
Divided, now rule
By expanding his powers through a slim, contested victory in Sunday's referendum, Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan has consolidated his rule – over a nation bound for social turmoil. Diego Cupolo reports from Ankara
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Germany′s ′Nazi′ methods
Erdogan – the expert on democracy
In likening present-day Germany to the Nazi era, Recep Tayyip Erdogan demonstrates that his ignorance of Germany is on a par with his ignorance of Nazism. As the Lebanese journalist Hazem Saghieh writes, it is a glaring example of the illiteracy that is prevalent among politicians in the Middle East
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Europe′s refugee deal with Turkey
The end of the road
Anything is better than waiting. Even deportation back to Turkey is no longer such a frightening prospect for refugees stranded on Lesbos. But now, Ankara says it is no longer willing to take back rejected asylum seekers. Ulrich von Schwerin reports from Lesbos
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German-Turkish relations in crisis
Fraying at the edges
The authoritarian course taken by the Turkish government is adversely affecting relations with Germany: the more the values in the two countries drift apart, the weaker the basis for a reliable and stable partnership. By Gulistan Gurbey
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Erdogan's 'Nazi' accusations
Politically motivated provocation
For German-Turkish journalist Cigdem Akyol, Erdogan′s recent ′Nazi′ outbursts can be put down to electioneering. Few taboos remain in his race to win the upcoming referendum. Yet German politicians and the media will be playing into his hands if they overreact. Interview by Laura Doing
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German-Turkish relations
No real leverage
Repeated demands for Germany to take a firm line with Erdogan and to end the refugee deal with Turkey have become a favourite mantra of many among the German opposition parties. A hardening of the rhetoric alone, however, is hardly likely to induce Erdogan to change his tack. By Ulrich von Schwerin
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Turkey′s EU accession negotiations
The big freeze
With Turkey maintaining an ever greater distance from the European Union, the EU needs to reconsider its options. Analysis by Nassir Djafari
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Press freedom in Turkey
Writing in a state of fear
Turkish journalists have been detained for their independent reporting, ahead of the international book fair in Istanbul. It takes courage to be a journalist in Turkey, writes Cigdem Akyol
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Erdogan′s Turkey
Spinning out of control
Turkey has witnessed another dramatic week, with police raids on an opposition newspaper, mass suspensions of academics and civil servants and the jailing of the leaders of the country′s main pro Kurdish HDP party. The government insists it is fighting to defend democracy against unprecedented threats, critics claim democracy itself is now at risk. Dorian Jones looks at the latest events
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Interview with Turkish author Elif Shafak
Democracy in a downward spiral
In interview with Sabine Peschel, best-selling Turkish author Elif Shafak warns against the disintegration of democratic values and the rise of authoritarianism in Turkey and across Europe
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Erdogan′s Turkey
Night of terror
An attempted coup in Turkey led to a night of gunfire and explosions, with residents waking up to an uncertain future. Diego Cupolo reports from Ankara
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Turkey and the refugee deal
False friends forever
Germany is facing a crucial question. How can the refugees be stopped? Demonstrating an alarming lack of historical awareness, Chancellor Angela Merkel is putting all her faith in an alliance with Turkey. Yet as events of the early 20th century clearly showed, Germany should never make its political destiny dependent on co-operation with the nationalistic Turkish state. An essay by Stefan Buchen