Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that after the referendum on extension of presidential powers, his country could reconsider its relations with the “fascist and violent” Europe. This statement he made on Tuesday, March 21, in his speech at the rally in Ankara, according to Reuters.
“This Europe before the Second world war: racist, fascist, violent Europe. Anti-Islamic and anti-Turkish”, — quotes its “Russian service “bi-Bi-si””. He noted that the referendum will be the best answer Europe.
The President also stressed that the authorities of the European Union (EU) will no longer be able to influence on Turkey under the pretext of its possible membership in the interstate Association. In addition, he added that he will admit into the country any European policy that they could not “conduct surveillance”.
21 March it was reported that Turkish policymakers refused to take part in campaign speeches in Germany on the eve of the referendum on extension of presidential powers.
Earlier in the day Volker Buthe, Vice-chair, headed by Chancellor Angela Merkel of the Christian democratic Union, said that the Turkish President is an unwelcome guest in Germany. “If he gets here, in my opinion, we should not let him in, as it threatens the security of our country”, — said the politician.
On 16 March, the Turkish foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu suggested that Europe will soon begin a Holy war. “If you look at most parties, you will see that there is no difference between social Democrats and fascists [Geert] Wilders. All have the same way of thinking. Where will you go? Where you will lead Europe? You are dragging Europe into the abyss. Soon there will start a Holy war,” — said the Minister.
Relations between Berlin and Ankara have sharply become aggravated after the authorities of Germany have forbidden speech in the country two Turkish politicians who had to campaign living in Germany of Turkish citizens for the amendments to the Constitution envisaging strengthening of the presidential power. The Turkish leader compared these restrictions with Nazi policies.