Cem Özdemir Details Threats from Turkish Nationalists After Armenien-Resolution
The German minister reflects on the lasting impact of his 2016 stance on recognizing the Armenian genocide, citing personal and family safety concerns.
- Cem Özdemir, Germany's Federal Minister of Agriculture, revealed ongoing threats from Turkish nationalists following his support for the 2016 Bundestag resolution recognizing the Armenian genocide.
- The threats have significantly disrupted his personal life, forcing him to avoid parts of Berlin, take self-defense courses with his children, and refrain from visiting family in Turkey since 2016.
- Özdemir criticized German security agencies for delayed and inadequate protective measures, highlighting failures in addressing the threats effectively.
- He described incidents of harassment, including being confronted by Turkish nationalist taxi drivers and having his family targeted in threatening media content.
- Despite these challenges, Özdemir plans to run as the Green Party's lead candidate in the 2026 Baden-Württemberg state elections.