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Death penalty reinstatement to rule out Turkey's EU membership: Austrian chancellor

Xinhua, July 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

The reinstatement of the death penalty in Turkey would rule out its chances of becoming a European Union member state, Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern said Monday, according to an Austria Press Agency report.

His comments were in response to the reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has considered bringing the death penalty back following the failed military coup against him at the weekend.

Kern said that a reinstatement would mean "a departure from the basic democratic consensus," and as a result, "Turkey could not be a partner" in the union.

He said for now, one must wait and observe further developments in Turkey, and he hopes for the stabilization of presently turbulent situation.

"Turkey can also not afford to close its doors. We need Turkey as a stable partner," he said. Endit