US has concerns about Turkey’s ability to hold transparent election: State department spokesperson

WASHINGTON - Reuters

The United States said on April 19 it had concerns about Turkey’s ability to hold free and fair elections given the ongoing state of emergency, a day after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called for a snap vote on June 24.

“During a state of emergency, it would be difficult to hold a completely free, fair and transparent election in a manner that’s consistent with ... Turkish law and also Turkey’s international obligations. So we are aware of that,” U.S. Department of State spokeswoman Heather Nauert told a briefing, noting Turkey has been under a state of emergency for nearly two years following a July 2016 coup bid.

“We are following this very closely. We have concerns about their ability to hold it during this type of state of emergency. We would certainly like to see free and fair elections, but there’s a concern here,” Nautert said.

PM Yıldırım slams US

Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım lashed out at Nauert for her remarks regarding the upcoming Turkish elections.

“They [the U.S.] should look at themselves first. It has been over one-year-and-a-half now since elections were held in the U.S., but they are still discussing whether the elections were rigged or not,” Yıldırım told reporters in Ankara on April 20.

“If they want to see how elections should be organized, they should come to Turkey. If they come to Turkey they can see whether or not elections here are transparent for themselves. This is my advice to them,” Yıldırım added.