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“Erdogan always comes to Berlin when things are not convenient. In any case, there is a heated debate in Germany. The ruling AKP party co-governs with the fascist MHP, which is considered a parliamentary arm of the Gray Wolves.” This is stated by an official from the security authorities of Berlin to the newspaper Tagesspiegel on the occasion of today’s visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Berlin, to see his country’s team in action against the Netherlands.

The atmosphere is already electrified. The uproar was preceded by the nationalistic salute of the Gray Wolves by Turkish national player Merih Demiral in the previous game against Austria. An intense diplomatic episode ensued with ambassadors on both sides calling for explanations in Ankara and Berlin, then Demiral’s two-game ban at the Euros by UEFA. But also Erdogan’s statements about the “eagle” on the German flag or the French “rooster”, the symbol of the “Blues”, which do not seem to trouble anyone.

Solz: I’m glad that Erdogan is coming

“I’m glad that Erdogan is coming to Berlin to watch football,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz commented modestly, in an apparent attempt to play down the renewed tension in bilateral relations in recent days. However, as he said, a meeting with Erdogan is not expected because such a thing is not foreseen. “Unless we are in the same game,” he said characteristically, since the chancellor these days is meeting, on the occasion of the Euro, with several heads of state and government in the stands of the German stadiums.

“Good stay in Berlin” the chairman of the internal affairs committee of the parliament Lars Castellucci from the Social Democrats also wishes him, saying that the ideological charge of football is against the spirit of the European Football Championship.

Johan Vandepoul, vice-president of K.O. of the Christian Democrats stated that Turkey “is and remains one of its most important partners of Germany”, but similar gestures have no place on the pitches. In his estimation, the German government invests little in Turkey and tomorrow’s visit should be an opportunity to change course.

Security measures and demonstrations

In the German capital, where about 200,000 people of Turkish origin live, the authorities have already changed the security plan, after the news of the Turkish president’s arrival in the country. In any case, the football match between Turkey and the Netherlands in the 75,000-seat Olympic Stadium was in itself a high-risk undertaking for the security authorities. As is the situation on the streets of the German capital, with the countless Turkish cafes and restaurants of the German capital already feverishly preparing for the showdown that will decide a place in the semi-final stage of the competition.

Erdogan’s arrival raises in red the alarm, since sporadic demonstrations are also expected: pro-Palestinian, pro-Kurdish, possibly marches or motorcades of supporters of the Gray Wolves.

At the same time, there is intense concern about what will happen when the Turkish national anthem is heard in the Olympic Stadium, with Turkish hooligans calling on the fans who will be in the stadium to form the symbol of the Gray Wolves, which they themselves consider merely a symbol of national pride.