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Will AKP-linked biker gang scuttle a Berlin-Ankara rapprochement?

During the current row with the United States, Turkish leaders have rediscovered their love for the European Union, particularly Germany, but the illegal activities of the Osmanen Germania Biker Club in Germany and its ties to the Ankara government could complicate efforts to improve relations.
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Mainstream, pro-government Turkish media have recently discovered the existence of a strong alliance between Germany and Turkey, loudly proclaiming that Germany stands with Turkey against the “economic coup” by the United States. They failed, however, to mention that German Chancellor Angela Merkel has also advocated measures to ensure the independence of the Central Bank in Turkey.

It was only a year ago, in August 2017, during the campaign leading up to German nation elections, that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan feverishly called on the 1.2 million eligible voters of Turkish descent living in Germany to vote against the enemies of Islam and Turkey, by which he meant Merkel and her party. Fast forward one year, and the Turkish media, guided by the palace, is trumpeting bragging rights for an official Erdogan visit to Germany scheduled for Sept. 28-29.

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