Angela Merkel, conservative challenger to chancellor Gerhard Schröder in Germany's early election said on Thursday that the two No votes this week on the European Union constitution meant the bloc “cannot simply return to business as usual” but must reconsider its plans to offer Turkey full EU membership.

Her comments, aimed at promoting her party's proposal for a “privileged partnership” for Turkey with the EU, were also part of broader efforts by the opposition to explain the foreign policy of a government led by Mrs Merkel, who is tipped by pollsters to be Germany's chancellor after the election, expected in September.