Blocking Turkish rallies reflects 'WWII mindset'

By Sorwar Alam

DUZCE, Turkey (AA) - Countries that prevent Turkish politicians from addressing referendum rallies in Europe “cannot accept democracy and freedom,” Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Friday.

Several events planned for senior ministers from the Justice and Development (AK) Party in Germany have been cancelled in recent days due to what Berlin described as security grounds.

Around 1.5 million Turkish nationals living in Germany are eligible to vote in a referendum that would grant wide-ranging powers to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan if the Yes vote wins.

“The action was a reflection of the political mindset of World War II,” Yildirim said during campaigning in the northwestern city of Duzce.

“This shows that the countries cannot accept democracy and freedom.”

Erdogan previously compared the cancellations to the actions of the Nazi regime.

Yildirim added that the cancellations were against the democratic right of Turkish ministers and brought “shame” on those concerned.