Merkel not at state banquet for Erdogan

berlin - German Chancellor Angela Merkel does not go to the state banquet that German president Steinmeier is offering his Turkish counterpart Erdogan. Erdogan dines Friday evening during his state visit to Germany at Steinmeier in the Bellevue Palace, where the German head of state resides.

Some of the opposition politicians invited to dinner will stay out of protest against Erdogan's authoritarian policy. Approximately 120 people have been invited. Employees of Steinmeier emphasize, however, that the Chancellor is not always going to a state banquet, as was the case last year with the visit of President Xi Jinping of China. Merkel speaks Erdogan Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.