Erdogan: My supporters will teach a great lesson to the protesters and the coup plotters.
The Turkish president said his supporters would teach them a great lesson if the opposition took to the streets to protest.
The Turkish president said in a speech on Tuesday that his supporters would teach them a great lesson if the opposition took to the streets.
According to the Turkish Minit website, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) that his supporters would treat the opposition the same way they treated the July 15, 2016 coup.
The Turkish president expressed dissatisfaction with the growing criticism of his government by opposition parties following the country’s economic crisis.
Erdogan accused opposition parties of communicating with the people only in the run-up to the election in order to gain votes and then forget about them. At the same time, he praised his party for being close to the people, listening to problems and finding solutions.
“They say they are taking to the streets,” Erdogan said. Didn’t you see what happened on July 15? No matter where you go, as this nation taught the coup plotters on July 15, we will do the same with you. “We will follow you wherever you go.”
Turkish opposition parties are calling for early elections. Over the past few years, Turkey has suffered from a recession in its economy with high inflation and unemployment. Protesters claim Erdogan has been criticized for mismanaging the economy, emptying the state coffers and creating a one-man government in a country where dissidents are repressed and dissidents imprisoned on political motives. Critics say declining support for Erdogan’s government has strengthened the opposition.
