Bobby Ghosh, Columnist

Erdogan’s Berlin Goal: Mollify Merkel

Turkey’s president will be met by angry voices in Germany, but he must focus on placating one.

September 27, 2018 at 4:00 AM UTC

Bobby Ghosh is a senior editor in the digital weekend team. Previously, he was a columnist at Bloomberg Opinion, where he wrote mostly about international affairs and culture.

He must get on her right side.
Photographer: Pool/Getty Images Europe

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There will be full military honors for Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Berlin on Thursday as he begins his first state visit to Germany as Turkey’s president. But the welcome is likely to be drowned out by verbal fusillades from German politicians and protesters alike.

For Erdogan, used to warmer welcomes on his travels, this visit will be a test of reserve — not his strongest suit. It may help to remind himself of his main purpose: to repair his relationship with Chancellor Angela Merkel.