Turkish nation, not Western countries, will decide fate of country, says Erdogan

ANKARA (AA): President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticized the international media outlets that he says have tried to influence public opinion with articles on Türkiye’s elections.

“What do all the magazines say on their covers? ‘Erdogan must go.’ (Those published) in Germany, France and England say so. What is it to you?

“How do you put these words on the covers of these magazines? It’s not you, the West! It’s my nation to decide on it,” Erdogan said at an event in Istanbul.

His remarks came after British magazine The Economist targeted the Turkish president with a cover that said “Save democracy,” “Erdogan must go,” and “Vote!”

French Le Point and L’Express magazines also featured anti-Erdogan covers.

The presidential and parliamentary elections will take place on May 14.

Voters will choose between Erdogan, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and candidate for the Nation Alliance, and Sinan Ogan of the ATA Alliance. Muharrem Ince, another presidential contender, withdrew from the race on Thursday.

Claims about Russia’s interference 

Erdogan rejected Kilicdaroglu’s claims of Russia’s meddling in elections.

“(Kilicdaroglu said) Russia is manipulating the elections in Türkiye. Shame on you!

“If I say ‘America is manipulating the elections in Türkiye, Germany is manipulating it, France is manipulating it, England is manipulating it’, what would you (Kilicdaroglu) say?” he added.

Kilicdaroglu on Thursday accused Russia of being behind video content allegedly discrediting candidates for the presidency.

“Dear Russian friends, you are behind the montages, conspiracies, deep fake content and tapes that were exposed in this country yesterday,” Kilicdaroglu said on Twitter.

“If you want our friendship to continue after May 15, get your hands off the Turkish state. We are still in favor of cooperation and friendship.”