German Culture Minister Claudia Roth has declared that the European Union cannot resume membership negotiations with Turkey following the arrest of İstanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu and other political actions. Speaking to Turkish media outlet T24 on Monday, Roth described Turkey’s government as responsible for undermining its own democratic credentials.
Roth, a prominent figure in Germany’s Alliance 90/The Greens party, visited İstanbul to show solidarity with the three times democratically elected İmamoğlu, and others affected by what she called Turkey’s authoritarian measures. She noted that prior to the March operation, Germany’s government, informed by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, had viewed restarting Turkey’s stalled EU accession talks as feasible. “Those conditions no longer exist,” Roth stated, citing a lack of judicial and institutional independence in Turkey.
The minister’s remarks follow various controversial moves by Turkey, including the arrest of İmamoğlu, which Roth described as politically motivated. She also referred to widespread protests across cities like Kurdish-majority Diyarbakır (Amed) and Van (Wan), as well as the traditionally more right-leaning Trabzon and Rize, reflecting wide-spread public discontent. “The Turkish people value elections deeply, and disregarding that risks a heavy price,” she warned, noting the economic strain the country finds itself under, with reserves reportedly depleted by 40 to 50 billion dollars since March.
Roth, who first visited Turkey in 1986 to protest at environmental damage, has long engaged with its politics, often facing criticism from Turkish authorities for her stance on Kurdish rights. She recounted a 1990s legal victory against a Turkish politician’s insults, donating the settlement to a women’s shelter. “I fought because it was right for all women facing such attacks,” she explained.
Her criticism extended to the ongoing Kurdish peace talks in Turkey. She expressed scepticism, suggesting the move aims to divide opposition voters rather than foster peace. “A true peace process would free political prisoners like Selahattin Demirtaş and reinstate elected mayors,” she said, referring to Kurdish politicians replaced by government-appointed trustees.
Roth also reflected on her past support for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s early reforms, admitting she had been “naive” to believe his democratic rhetoric. “He used it to convince romantic Europeans like me,” she said, citing his initial steps on religious freedoms as misleading. She now sees Turkey’s challenges—economic, democratic and social—as being tied to government policies.
Roth’s visit, one of her last as a cabinet member before Germany’s new coalition government takes office on 5 May, reaffirmed her personal commitment. Recalling the 2013 Gezi Park protests, where she experienced tear gas at İstanbul’s Divan Hotel, Roth said, “I stay there every visit to honour those who resisted.” She added that Germany stands with Turkey’s democrats, students and journalists.
Roth lamented that some European leaders prioritised Turkey as a migration buffer over its democratic health, a stance she called shortsighted. “A strong Turkey means a democratic one, not an authoritarian one,” she noted.
