BERLIN, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- A poll released Saturday in Berlin suggests 54 percent of Germans support accepting Turkey into the European Union in the middle to long-term future.
Only 37 percent of Germans included in a Der Spiegel magazine poll said they opposed admitting Turkey to the EU.
Members of the Green Party were most likely to favor admitting Turkey, but at least a slim majority of every party was in favor of the addition.
Not all German party leaders think Turkey should be admitted, however.
Angela Merkel, head of Germany's Christian Democratic party, has spoken out against welcoming Turkey to the European Union.
Der Spiegel reported Saturday that Merkel's recent visit to Turkey did not convince her the country should be part of the European Union. Instead, she said Turkey should be offered a "privileged partnership" with Europe.
The Christian Democrats are currently Germany's major opposition party and are the most popular party according to recent polls.
Some prominent Christian Democrats -- including several mayors --have publicly disagreed with Merkel over Turkey, saying the country should eventually be considered for EU membership.
The ruling Social Democratic/Green Party coalition is generally much more positive on Turkey's bid to become an EU member.
