Turkey played role in restraining racism in Dutch election: PM Yıldırım 

ÇANKIRI

Turkey determined the election results in the Netherlands, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said on March 16, referring to the recent high-profile spat between the two countries over a ban on rallies by Turkish ministers in the country. 

“Europe is doing its politics according to Turkey. Look at the Netherlands. Turkey affected [the election] there,” Yıldırım said at a rally in the Central Anatolian province of Çankırı, campaigning for a “yes” vote in the upcoming referendum on shifting Turkey to an executive presidential system.

“Some countries say ‘European values’ and ‘human rights,’ but we saw their real faces last week. When it comes to Turkey, we see how they are a dictatorship engaged in repressive practices,” he added.

Yıldırım claimed that the Netherlands and Germany “appear to be pro-freedom” but in reality apply bans, accusing them of “protecting terrorists” while barring Turkish politicians from delivering speeches.

“Racism has been restrained for a while in Europe. But these hostile policies will not lead you to the right conclusion,” he added.