Merkel: Turkey shouldn't become an EU member

The refugee crisis and the EU deal with Turkey dominated the TV debate between Chancellor Angela Merkel and her coalition ally SPD challenger Martin Schulz on Sunday. The rivals agreed, however, that Turkey can't be part of the EU.

"If I become German chancellor, if the people of this country give me a mandate, then I will propose to the European Council that we end the membership talks with Turkey. Now all red lines are crossed, so this country can no longer become a member of the EU,"said Schulz during the debate, forcing the CDU leader to clarify her position on the issue.

"The fact is clear that Turkey should not become a member of the EU,"said Merkel, agreeing with Schulz.

"I'll speak to my [EU] colleagues to see if we can reach a joint position on this so that we can end these accession talks," added Merkel, who is hoping to get re...