PM Erdoğan is banging 'the war drums,' main opposition leader says

ANKARA

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu speaks next to Union of Turkey’s Bar Associations (TBB) head, Metin Feyzioğlu, in Ankara, May 23. AA Photo

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has accused Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of “setting the country on fire” and “deepening polarization” in society, following the latest clashes between police and protesters in Istanbul left two dead.

“We are facing a philosophy that has vowed to take revenge, at least from part of its own society. It is not only at odds with its own people, but the whole world. It is at odds with Egypt, Iran and the European Union. Our belief is based on the philosophy of peace in the nation, peace in the world. But now Erdoğan is banging the war drums,” Kılıçdaroğlu said on May 23.

The CHP head also argued that Erdoğan’s criticism of opposition parties for not condemning protesters’ violence toward the police “befitted a dictator.”

 “Police should not use arms on its own citizens,” said Kılıçdaroğlu, noting that Erdoğan has never shown remorse for those killed, but is only concerned with the “windows and their frames.”

Kılıçdaroğlu stressed they were against violence toward the police, too. “They are our children, too,” he said, adding the police should maintain public peace.

“Erdoğan is throwing the country into the fire. There is excessive polarization. I am worried for Turkey’s future. His language and discourse is not acceptable,” CHP leader stated.

“We claim both Burakcan and Berkin. We claim our killed youngster and our police as well,” he said, stressing the prime minister should not differentiate between citizens.

When asked if he would be a candidate for presidential elections, Kılıçdaroğlu said one cannot be a candidate and that only an offer can be made.

Kılıçdaroğlu was speaking at a joint press conference with Metin Feyzioğlu, the Union of Turkey’s Bar Associations (TBB) head, following the former’s visit to the TBB headquarters as part of a series of visits aimed at testing the waters for a prospective candidate in the upcoming presidential elections in August.

Putting out the fire afterward is not easy as igniting the fuse, Feyzioğlu said.