Published March 17, 2017
The Latest on the spat between Germany and Turkey (all times local):
10:35 a.m.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim says Germany is taking sides in Turkey's upcoming referendum and that it's a "grave mistake."
Asked about German Chancellor Angela Merkel's criticism of comments made by Turkey's president accusing Germany of "Nazi practices." Yildirim says Germany "may be disturbed" that a yes vote is likely on the referendum. He says if that's true, it amounts to "meddling" in another country's affairs and is "very wrong"
Yildirim said Thursday through a translator that Germany's claim that it doesn't meddle in others' affairs is unconvincing. He added, "Tell that to someone else."
Yildirim says Germany's restrictions on Turkish politicians campaigning in Germany will have the opposite of Germany's intended effect. He says the Turkish people are taking note.
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9:45 a.m.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says comments from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other Turkish officials accusing Berlin of "Nazi practices" cannot be tolerated.
Merkel told Parliament on Thursday that the remarks are "sad and incredibly misplaced" and are "not justifiable."
She says "we will not allow the victims of the Nazis to be trivialized" by such comparisons.
Erdogan made the comment on the weekend after several German municipalities canceled events in which Turkish Cabinet ministers had planned to address rallies in Germany in support of a national referendum on constitutional reform that would give the Turkish president more powers. About 1.4 million people of Turkish descent living in Germany are eligible to vote in the referendum.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/the-latest-turkish-pm-says-germany-making-grave-mistake