Nationalist party leader criticizes president for Assad policy shift

ANKARA

AA Photo

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli has criticized President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan over his recent remarks which displayed a policy shift to Turkey endorsing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad taking a role in the transition process of the war-torn country. 

Referring to the pro-government pronunciation of al-Assad’s name as “Esed” since the civil war erupted in Syria in 2011, Bahçeli said, “From Assad to Esed, now a turn from Esed to Assad. We’ll follow.”

Speaking at his party’s Eid greetings on Sept. 25 Bahçeli accused Erdoğan of endorsing the United States’ stance on the Syrian issue. 

Bahçeli also accused the Justice and Development Party (AKP) of leaving some districts of southeastern Turkey in the hands of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) “on the excuse of elections,” scheduled for Nov. 1.

He condemned the southeastern Cizre district election board member’s decision to transfer ballot boxes to other places due to security concerns and accused the judge who made the ruling of “serving” the AKP. 

“Ballot boxes should be opened in every corner of Turkey’s lands and the elections should be held over extraordinary measures,” he added.