Erdogan bullish about death penalty backing

Expects parliament to approve but this will end EU dream

ISTANBUL // Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday said he expected parliament to approve the restoration of capital punishment after the April 16 referendum on expanding his powers, a move that would end Ankara’s attempt to join the EU.

Turkey abolished the death penalty in 2004 as part of its efforts to join the European Union, which makes its removal a non-negotiable precondition for membership.

“The families of the martyrs, the heroes of the failed July 15 coup don’t need to worry,” Mr Erdogan told a rally in the western city of Canakkale.

“I believe, God willing, that after the April 16 vote, parliament will do the necessary concerning your demands for capital punishment.”

Legislation to restore capital punishment would still need to be signed by the president, and Mr Erdogan said he would do so immediately.

“When it comes to me, I will approve it without hesitation,” he said.

EU officials have repeatedly warned Turkey that reinstating the death penalty would bring an end to more than 50 years of trying to join the bloc.

But Turkish ministers and Mr Erdogan have said they need to respond to popular demand for the restoration of capital punishment to deal with the ringleaders of the July 15 coup attempt. Mr Erdogan, whose announcement was greeted by loud cheers, said he did not care what Europe thought about such a move.

“What Hans and George say is not important for me,” he said.

“What the people say, what the law says, that’s what is important for us.” Mr Erdogan has repeatedly warned the EU of the possibility Turkey could restore capital punishment but this is the first time he has directly called on parliament to approve it after the referendum on constitutional change. Turkey and Europe are locked in a diplomatic crisis after Turkish ministers were blocked from addressing expats in Germany and the Netherlands as part of the campaign for a “yes” vote in next month’s referendum. Mr Erdogan has repeatedly accused Germany and the Netherlands of behaving like Nazis, comments that have left The Hague and Berlin aghast and prompting warnings from Brussels for the Turkish president to show moderation.

Yesterday, Germany’s foreign minister openly accused Mr Erdogan of ramping up anti-European rhetoric to score political points ahead of the referendum.

Sigmar Gabriel said Mr Erdogan’s comments were ludicrous and absurd but that Europe should stop reacting since it only played into the Turkish leader’s hands. “He needs an enemy for his election campaign: Turkey humiliated and the West arrogant,” Mr Gabriel told the German daily, Der Spiegel.