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afp
Berlin
Turkish politicians will hold no further rallies in Germany ahead of April's referendum on expanding President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's powers, his AKP party said Tuesday amid a heated diplomatic row.
"All future events that were planned have been cancelled. That is a decision that was made in Ankara," said a Cologne-based spokeswoman for the AKP's coordination office abroad.
Turkey and the European Union -- especially its top economy Germany, with its large Turkish diaspora -- are locked in a bitter dispute as tensions rise ahead of a April 16 referendum on scrapping the prime minister's post and creating a executive presidency.
Turkish ministers eager to tap into the overseas vote have sought to make campaign appearances in Germany to whip up support for a"yes" vote, but several were recently rebuffed when local and state authorities blocked the rallies, citing logistical reasons.
Ankara reacted with fury, with Erdogan accusing Germany and Chancellor Angela Merkel of"Nazi" practices, sparking deep consternation in Berlin.
