Germans are urging Erdogan to call of his visit

The mining tragedy in Turkey sparked even more anti-government protests in the country and the unpopular Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan more support. Now, German politicians are requesting him to cancel his visit to Cologne.

The Turkish Prime Minister planned a visit to Cologne, Germany in an pre-election appearance. Germany hosts a huge population of Turks estimated at more than two millions. The visit to Cologne has a pre-election meaning with the presidential elections in Turkey closing in.

However, local politicians already urged Erdogan to cancel his visit after receiving heavy criticism over the mining tragedy that hit Turkey. Authorities in Cologne found out there will be a massive protest organized against Erdogan.

“For me, as a responsible politician, the decision would be clear, given the dramatic events with so many unresolved deaths. There are more important things than taking part in election campaign abroad,” said the Mayor of Cologne, Jurgen Roters.

Others went a step further and suggested the whole event should be called off. “In the current situation he should be concerning himself from dawn til dusk with how devastating mine accident in Turkey could have happened,” said Wolfgang Bosback, a senior member on Angela Merkel's conservative side.

According to the Turkish government, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan is planning to visit Germany, France and the Netherlands all in May.