Turkey poll in Europe: Nobody wants Turkey

According to a poll commissioned by conservatives, the largest group in the European Parliament, the majority in Europe wants to end EU accession talks with Turkey.

European People’s Party (EVP) held a public opinion poll on Turkey in 9 EU member states. According to the German newspaper Bild, 77% of participants said they don’t want Turkey as a full member of the European Union. The participants of the poll want a clear message to be sent to Turkey on this matter.

The poll was held in 9 countries, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Sweden and Spain. 1000 people were interviewed in each country.

Countries with most citizens who want an end to accession talks are Germany and the Netherlands, two countries with recent crises with Turkey.

86% of German and 84% of Dutch participants said it is “important” or “very important” that it be clearly stated that Turkey can not become a member of the EU. The lowest rate was in Spain, with a still high percentage of 60%.

EVP Group Chair Manfred Weber commented on the outcome of the poll to Bild and said: “Europeans expect the politicians to put an end to negotiations with Turkey. Especially after the recent events, it cannot continue like this.”

The conservative European People’s Party support ending full accession talks with Turkey. Weber had also given a date for the matter in the past, saying the negotiations should be ended in the EU government and state heads meeting in June.