Erdoğan slams West’s poll re-run criticism

ISTANBUL

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has criticized Western countries over their reaction to the Supreme Election Council’s (YSK) decision to hold a do-over Istanbul mayoral election on June 23.

“Presidential election in Austria can be canceled after 2 years. Did you hear any voice? ... When it comes to us, even our application [to YSK] is disturbing the West,” Erdoğan said at the 39th traditional iftar meal (fast-breaking meal) organized by the Birlik Foundation charity in Istanbul on May 11.

The president said whether they accept or not, Turkey is an independent, sovereign and democratic country that believes in the rule of law.

On May 6, the YSK accepted the ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) objection to the March 31 local election results in Istanbul and announced a do-over election.
In its decision, it said some polling officials and staff on March 31 were not public servants as required by law.

Erdoğan also slammed Israeli attack on Anadolu Agency’s office in the Gaza Strip, saying it is a bid to hinder broadcasting their “dirty works” to the world.

“The Israeli administration, with the courage that it has taken from the silence of the international community, goes as far as bombarding media outlets and humanitarian aid agencies, and they bombed our Anadolu Agency,” he said.

On May 4, Israeli fighter jets destroyed the seven-story building in Gaza City in which the agency’s office is located.