Erdogan calls Dutch ‘Nazi remnants’

Ramps up dispute with European nations

ROTTERDAM • Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan intensified his dispute with European nations Sunday, claiming that “Nazism is alive in the West” after two of his ministers were prevented from campaigning in the Netherlands and promising the Dutch would “pay the price” for their unusual action.

While Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte worked to contain the diplomatic damage, Erdogan made it clear Turkey would not be easily appeased. He said Ankara would retaliate for the treatment of the Turkish family affairs minister, who on Saturday was blocked by police in riot gear from entering her country’s consulate in Rotterdam.

That came hours after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was denied airport landing rights to address crowds at a Rotterdam rally.

Saying he was wrong to think Nazism was over, Erdogan made the comment to an audience in Istanbul. The remarks were similar to ones he made about Germany earlier this month.

“Turkey is a proud nation. The Netherlands is a proud nation. We can never do business under those sorts of threats and blackmail,” said Rutte.

To bolster support for an April 16 referendum that would expand the powers of Turkey’s president, cabinet ministers have scheduled campaign trips to several European countries with sizable populations of Turkish expatriates. However, some European nations have complained that Turkey under Erdogan is slipping toward authoritarian practices, especially since last summer’s aborted coup. Rutte cited that concern in asking Cavusoglu not to come to the Netherlands.

Rutte’s actions, which came two days after several German municipalities cancelled rallies that Turkish cabinet ministers had planned to address, prompted Erdogan on Saturday to accuse the Dutch of being “Nazi remnants.”

On Sunday, he heaped on more criticism while demanding an apology from the Dutch. “Those who unleash the dogs and their hatred will pay the price,” he added in reference to images showing police dogs biting pro-Erdogan protesters who gathered outside the consulate.

Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said no apologies would be forthcoming.

Addressing crowds at a rally later, Erdogan called on international organizations to impose sanctions on the Netherlands and urged the European Union to speak out against the Dutch.