Minister Çiftçi and AKP Spokesperson Çelik react to Ertuğrul Özkök’s Franco comparison

Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi and AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik have reacted to statements by journalist Ertuğrul Özkök that associated AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan with the Franco dictatorship.

In a statement on his social media account, Çiftçi stated that throughout his political life, Erdoğan has drawn his power “only from the nation,” and expressed that democratic legitimacy cannot be overshadowed by “dark comparisons.”

Minister Çiftçi criticized the comparison of a leader serving through democratic elections to dictators, stating that it fits “neither conscience, nor common sense, nor human decency.” Çiftçi described the remarks directed at President Erdoğan as “baseless, unbecoming, and insolent.”

"LACK OF REASON AND COMMON SENSE"

AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik also emphasized in his statement that Erdoğan has come to office multiple times “through the free will of the nation and democratic elections.” Çelik argued that comparing President Erdoğan’s political position to the Franco dictatorship is a “lack of reason and common sense.”

In his statement, Çelik evaluated the aforementioned comparison as “a moral problem directed at the national will.” The AKP spokesperson also criticized the comparison of Erdoğan to “a dictator who has committed crimes against humanity” with the words “mental and moral misery.”

Çelik further targeted the remarks made against the AKP, stating that these declarations are “null and void,” and noted that they will continue their democratic struggle.

News Source: 12punto