Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey, has criticized foreign media organizations for recent attempts to sway public opinion with stories on the country’s approaching elections on May 14.
“What do the covers of all the magazines say? Germany, France, and England have all written articles stating that Erdogan must resign. What’s it like for you? Erdogan stated during a gathering on Friday in Istanbul.
How are these words shown on the covers of various magazines? The West is not the problem. My country will make the decision.
His comments followed a cover by the British journal The Economist that urged readers to “save democracy,” “Erdogan must go,” and “Vote!”
Le Point and L’Express, two French publications, also have anti-Erdogan covers.
On May 14, Turkey will hold its presidential and legislative elections.
On the presidential ballot, voters will be able to select between Erdogan, Sinan Ogan of the ATA Alliance, and Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the head of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and candidate for the Nation Alliance. On Thursday, Muharrem Ince, another candidate for president, dropped out of the running.
Erdogan criticises Kilicdaroglu
Erdogan also criticised Kilicdaroglu for his claims that Russia was meddling in the elections.
“(Kilicdaroglu said) Russia is manipulating the elections in Türkiye. Shame on you!”
“If I say ‘America is manipulating the elections in Türkiye, Germany is manipulating it, France is manipulating it, England is manipulating it’, what would you (Kilicdaroglu) say?” he added.
The president said he is in contact with these countries for 20 years and asked Kilicdaroglu: “How many times have you come together with them? How do you know them?”
Kilicdaroglu on Thursday accused Russia of being behind video content allegedly discrediting candidates for the presidency in the upcoming elections.
“Dear Russian friends, you are behind the montages, conspiracies, deep fake content and tapes that were exposed in this country yesterday.
“If you want our friendship to continue after May 15, get your hands off the Turkish state. We are still in favour of cooperation and friendship,” Kilicdaroglu said on Twitter.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday rejected accusations, saying there can be no question of any interference of Russia in the Turkish elections, and “those who spread such rumours are liars.”
Russia values ties with Türkiye because it takes “a very responsible, sovereign and thoughtful position,” he added.
SOURCE: TRTWORLD AND AGENCIES
