The leadership of Germany's Merkel is becoming crucial for Turkey

Germany's Angela Merkel was never a big European visionary strategist. She never aspired to be one. When she came to power, it was obvious she would much prefer to concentrate on Germany's issues rather than spend time on determining overall European policies.  In contrast to some European politicians who would see it as a prestigious duty to assume responsibility in shaping EU's vision, Merkel never aspired for the EU leadership, while the strength of her country did certainly grant that position.

The European economic crisis, followed by Europe falling into a serious shortage of visionary leaders, led Merkel assuming the leadership position because the gravity of problems coupled with populist politicians gaining ground in other member countries and started to carry the potential of hurting German interests.

Take the refugee crisis. She first tried to find an EU solution to the crisis; failing to secure an agreement due to the intransigence of member countries she stroke a deal with Turkey on behalf of the EU, the terms of which were negotiated between German and Turkish officials.

With Brexit, followed by the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president, Merkel will be obligated to take on more leadership responsibilities. And she seems to have accepted that fact.

"The times in which we could totally rely on others are to some extent over, as I have experienced in the past two days," she said yesterday in reference to the G7 summit in Sicily. "We Europeans must really take our fate into our own hands," she added.

This could and should prove an important turning point in Turkey's relations with the EU. If Merkel wins the German elections in September, she will have French President Emmanuel Macron on her side to lead...

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