Angela Merkel and Recep Tayyip Erdogan
German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to abide by democratic norms. She stated this during a press conference during a visit to Ankara, according to Reuters.
“In times of deep political turmoil have to do anything to protect the principle of separation of powers, freedom of speech and political diversity,” — stated Merkel. “The opposition is part of democracy,” she added.
Thus, a German politician responded to a question about concerns regarding the attempts to suppress dissent in Turkey.
July 15, 2016, in Turkey there was an attempt to military rebellion, which was suppressed. The clashes killed more than 230 people, more than 2.1 thousand were injured. After that the country began mass purges in government, public administration, courts, education, the army and the security services. Was closed more than 130 media, over 81 thousand people were suspended from work or dismissed. 32 thousands of defendants in the case about the attempt of the rebellion, are in custody.
Simultaneously, the country began work on the draft of the new Constitution which transforms the country into a presidential Republic and sharply increases the powers of the current head of state. 21 January changes in the basic law was approved by the Turkish Parliament.