Nationalist MHP leader slams 'attack' on Turkish currency

ANKARA

Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader on Aug. 10 said the attacks on currency aim to weaken Turkey.

Devlet Bahçeli wrote on Twitter that the increase in currency rate against Turkish lira was caused by "cruel tyrannies and despotic sanctions" that aims "fall of Turkey"

His remarks came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump ramped up his attack on Turkey by raising steel and aluminium tariffs on its NATO ally.

"Economic terror is being created on the pretext of a pastor," Bahçeli said referring to American pastor Andrew Brunson who is under house arrest in Turkey.

"The unfinished treason on July 15 [failed coup in 2016] is being restructured."

Bahçeli called on the Turkish people to unite against "the artificial jump" and embrace the Turkish lira.

"We need to be in solidarity. We need to show clearly and categorically that the artificial jump in currency cannot take this country as hostage," Bahçeli added.

The MHP leader said the increase in currency was "a political and diplomatic blackmail" and not based on economy.

"We cannot and will not be submissive," he added.