Erdogan decries Merkel’s ‘Nazi’ ways

ISTANBUL // Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday accused German chancellor Angela Merkel of using “Nazi measures” in an intensifying dispute between Ankara and Berlin.

Tensions flared after German authorities refused to allow some Turkish ministers to campaign for a “yes” vote in the April 16 referendum on expanding Mr Erdogan’s powers. He responded by saying that Berlin was behaving like Nazi Germany. “When we call them Nazis they [Europe] get uncomfortable. They rally together in solidarity. Especially Merkel,” Mr Erdogan said. “But you are right now employing Nazi measures,” he told Mrs Merkel, using the informal “you” in Turkish. “Against who? My Turkish brother citizens in Germany and brother ministers.”

Mr Erdogan said the diplomatic crisis “showed that a new page had been opened in the ongoing fight against our country”.