Erdogan compares Merkel’s comments on Turkey’s EU bid to ‘Nazism’
President urges ethnic Turks in Germany not to vote for 'Turkey's enemies' after chancellor issued criticism during election debate
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday compared statements critical of Turkey by German politicians to “Nazism” after Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would seek to end talks on Ankara’s accession to the EU.
“I’m not saying you’re a Nazi, a fascist. I am explaining the incident… This incident is Nazism. This is fascism,” Erdogan said, reacting to comments made by Merkel and Martin Schulz, her Social Democratic Party rival, during a televised debate ahead of elections on September 24.
During the debate, Schulz said he would end talks on Turkey joining the EU because of Erdogan’s increasingly authoritarian policies. Merkel, who has previously expressed doubts about Turkey ever joining the EU, said Turkey “is departing from all democratic practices at breakneck speed.”
Relations between the two countries have been tense for months, with Turkey accusing Germany of harboring people with alleged links to last year’s failed coup against Erdogan as well as outlawed Kurdish militant groups. Berlin has accused Turkey of backsliding on democratic values and is angered by the arrest of 12 German citizens in Turkey for what Berlin considers political reasons.
Addressing local leaders of his ruling party in the capital Ankara, Erdogan said he would not allow his country to become an “appetizer” for elections in Germany or other European nations and renewed his call to the EU to make up its mind on whether it wants to continue membership talks with his country or end them following the debate in Germany.
Erdogan said: “It’s up to the EU to take a step. Either they will keep their promise and open the path of the membership process … or they need to say ‘we don’t want to continue on the path with Turkey.'”
“If you are not able to tolerate Turkey’s relations with the EU, come out and say so honestly and do whatever is necessary,” Erdogan said.
He urged ethnic Turks in Germany not to vote for parties that he described as “Turkey’s enemies” in the elections, in an apparent reference to Merkel and Schulz’s parties.
Erdogan also questioned how European leaders — whom he accused of criticizing for electoral gains — would be able to face him after their elections are over.
“The style of politics that pivots around my person is of no benefit to European countries,” Erdogan said. “How will they look at my face when tomorrow comes?”
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