Turkish deputy PM slams Germany’s election campaign ban
BERLIN – Anadolu Agency
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdağ on May 21 slammed Germany for imposing an election campaign ban, saying Turks living in the country have a democratic right to be informed by politicians of Turkish parties.
“Almost three million Turks live in Germany. It is the democratic right of these people to be informed in the election campaign of politicians of all Turkish parties about their goals and ideas,” Akdağ told German newspaper Deutsche Welt.
He said Germany should allow the campaigning of Turkish politicians in Germany and not violate this “democratic right.”
The deputy premier recalled that Turkey was allowed to carry out election campaigns in Germany in previous elections and the Turkish government could not understand why the same was not being done for the upcoming early elections.
On June 24, Turkey will hold both presidential and parliamentary early elections.
Turkish expats will vote for the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in 60 countries.
According to data obtained from the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YBT), Turkish citizens who have registered in the foreign electoral roll will be able to vote at 123 representations from June 7-19 or at customs stations from June 7-24.
A minimum of 500 voters should be registered at a foreign representation for a polling station to be established, as per election rules.
With 13 representations, Germany has the highest number of polling stations.
Turkish voters in Germany, France and Austria will vote from June 7-19.
