Merkel Backs German Full-Veil Ban in Pitch to CDU Members
- Standing ovation followed by rebuke on leadership ballot
- Party convention sets up Merkel for 2017 re-election bid
Merkel Takes Stance on Full-Face Veils, Migrants
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Chancellor Angela Merkel called for a ban on full-face veils and said she’ll protect Germany against future refugee waves, reaching out to critics of her liberal migration policy as she asked a convention of her Christian Democratic Union to back her bid for a fourth term.
CDU delegates erupted in applause and cheers after Merkel gave her strongest backing yet to a ban on clothing such as the burqa worn by Muslim women. Even so, delegates re-elected Merkel as party chairwoman with the lowest support of her 11 years as chancellor, with 89.5 percent voting in favor compared with 96.7 percent two years ago.