Turkish PM has lost his mental health: Furious MHP leader

ANKARA

The MHP head slammed Erdoğan for constantly repeating the same scenario about a plot against his government by international and national powers for the last three weeks. CİHAN photo

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has lost his mental health as he is possessed by virtual fear and artificial threats imposed by gangs and illegal organizations that have seized the state, according to opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, who added that the government was seeking to distract public attention from the corruption probe.

“If we listen to the prime minister, we see a plot, a trap and a dirty alliance of those who are jealous with the success of the AKP government. Those who are offended at [Turkey’s plans to develop] high-speed trains, at Istanbul’s third airport and bridge [over the Bosphorus], at its economic boom and at its peace process have targeted the AKP,” Bahçeli said in his address to his parliamentary group on Tuesday.

The MHP head slammed Erdoğan for constantly repeating the same scenario about a plot against his government by international and national powers for the last three weeks.

“In short, corruption is a lie and bribery is just a story. The allegations are baseless and the claims are fabricated. But for us, Erdoğan is in an irrational fear, stuck to lies, and has lost his mental health,” Bahçeli said.

The prime minister is “trying to deceive the people” and distract their attention away from the corruption and graft claims, he added, particularly lashing out at Erdoğan over his efforts to stop the investigation and prosecution of corruption claims, which extend to senior government members. He stressed that such claims could only be seen “in clans or in undemocratic Middle Eastern countries.”

“Prime Minister Erdoğan has abused his authority. Tolerant and gentle toward bribers, Erdoğan is, however, merciless toward the police and judiciary. It can be understood that these corruption allegations extend to him and his own family. That’s the concern of the prime minister,” Bahçeli said.

The MHP leader also criticized Erdoğan for claiming that plotters were targeting him through his son.

“There would be no reason to be concerned if the prime minister had nothing to hide or didn’t have any unlawful or illegitimate relations. However, this mentality has been terrorizing the country since Dec. 17,” he stated.