berlin german chancellor angela merkel say sunday would seek end turkey membership talk european union apparent shift position televise debate weeks german election fact clear turkey become member eu merkel say debate social democrat spd challenger martin schulz speak eu colleagues see reach joint position end accession talk merkel add comment likely worsen already strain tie two nato ally deepen since turkish president tayyip erdogan crackdown opponents aftermath fail coup attempt july last year immediate reaction turkey midst national religious holiday merkel comment come schulz appear surprise vow push end negotiations elect chancellor sept. 24 federal election become german chancellor people country give mandate propose european council end membership talk turkey schulz say whether win countries know fight merkel initially caution move say would irresponsible endanger tie turkey time german citizens imprison twelve german citizens turkish detention political charge four hold dual citizenship intend break diplomatic relations turkey election campaign want show tough say moderators move ask two candidates question u.s. president donald trump merkel return turkey issue suddenly throw weight behind end membership talk merkel conservative party christian democratic union cdu long oppose turkish membership european union green light membership talk give months merkel become chancellor 2005 always say respect decision refer negotiations open end accession talk grind virtual halt eu leaders step criticism erdogan shift merkel back end eu-turkey membership talk