Wüst Meets Erdoğan: NRW Leader Stages Himself as Counter to the Chancellor

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When a German state premier sits down with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, it's more than a routine courtesy visit. NRW state leader Hendrik Wüst received a surprising audience with the head of state during a major trip to Turkey – and outwardly positioned himself as a counter-project to the Federal Chancellor.

That's according to Der Spiegel. According to the report, the state premier's strategy is: smile, explain, reconcile. With this meeting, Wüst is sending a signal that extends far beyond state politics.

Why the Trip Carries Political Weight

Turkey is politically particularly relevant for North Rhine-Westphalia: the most populous federal state has a large community of Turkish descent and close economic and cultural ties to the country. Wüst is apparently using the trip to position himself as an independent foreign-policy actor – with direct access to the head of state, without going through Berlin.

Which specific topics came up at the meeting with Erdoğan, how the Federal Chancellor views the trip, and whether it was coordinated with the federal government – the available reporting does not say.