Increase in tension between Germany and Turkey

Hanover Bans pro-Erdogan Rallies

March 17th, 2017 - Fort Russ News -

- Al Mayadeen - - translated by Samer Hussein -    

             

Russ Fort,

17 March, 2017

Authorities in the German city of Hanover, located in the northern German state of Lower Saxony, banned the pro-Erdogan regime rallies on Thursday amid the tensions between the two countries.

The city’s major Stefan Schostok said "We wish to be clear: we simply don’t want any of such rallies in our in our city."

"As mayor I refuse to transfer to bring the controversial Turkish matter into our city.", he further added.

He also said the Union of European Turkish Democrats, on behalf of Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP), submitted a request for the rally, saying it was just an internal and a local meeting.

It later turned out that the vice president of Erdogan's AKP party, Mohammed Mehdi Eker, was supposed to deliver a speech at the rally.This is what ultimately prompted the city’s administration to take measures.

Eker himself has already been involved in staging several pro-Erdogan regime rallies throughout Germany in the wake of the forthcoming Turkish constitutional referendum that could result in a significant power gain for Erdogan. The referendum is scheduled to take place on the 16th of April. 

Hannover is the largest city in the northern German state of Lower Saxony and a home to more than 500,000 people. The city also has a Turkish population.

Erdogan regime is currently at odds with several European countries, especially the Netherlands after the latter barred two Turkish government ministers from attending pro-Erdogan regime rallies due to safety concerns.