Erdoğan adviser targets opposition over criticism of gov't: Go to hell!

In a threatening social media post, President Erdoğan's chief adviser Oktay Saral has targeted opposition politicians over their criticism of the government's failing economic policies, by telling them to “go to hell.”

Wednesday November 24 2021 05:45 pm

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's chief adviser Oktay Saral is seen in this file photo.

Duvar English

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's chief adviser Oktay Saral has targeted the opposition parties over their criticism of the government's economic policies, by referring to them as “baseheads” and telling them to “go to hell.”

“All of the opposition; To hell with you all! You do not and cannot belong to this country by any means. Would [someone] aim at the survival of their country by so much...! You are not opposing the government, but the country, shame on you...! Are you the ones aspiring to run the country...Get out of here baseheads...!” wrote Saral on Twitter.

Bilumum muhalefet;Hepinizin canı cehenneme..!Siz asla ve kat'a bu ülkeye ait değilsiniz ve olamazsınız.Bu kadar mı ülkesinin bekasına kastedilir..!Siz hükümete değil ülkeye muhalefet ediyorsunuz,yazıklar olsun..!Siz mi ülkeyi yönetmeyi talipsiniz...Hadiyin ordan müptezeller..!
— Oktay SARAL (@oktay_saral) November 23, 2021

The adviser's comments came as the opposition has been calling on Erdoğan to declare early elections amid a fallout of the economy. Opposition leaders have been emphasizing that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) can no longer govern the country and its policies are pushing the country into a deepening economic crisis.

On Nov. 23 evening, demonstrations were held in Istanbul and Ankara in the face of the lira's historic crash, with protesters demanding the government's resignation.

The currency slipped back towards its record low on Nov. 24, driven by worries over the economy after Erdoğan defended recent sharp rate cuts despite widespread criticism and calls for a reversal.

The lira has lost 43% of its value this year and more than 22% since the beginning of last week alone.

Despite Erdoğan defending the central bank's monetary policy and vowing to win his "economic war of independence," there is widespread criticism from those calling for action to reverse the slide in the currency, including from top economists.

There was no hint at an intervention to stem the meltdown. The central bank said on Nov. 23 it could only do so under certain conditions in "excessive volatility."

Erdoğan has pressured the central bank to move to an aggressive easing cycle with the goal of boosting exports, investment and jobs.

But many economists have described the rate cuts as reckless.

The central bank has slashed rates by a total of 400 points since September, leaving real yields deeply negative as virtually all other central banks have either begun tightening policy to stem rising inflation or are preparing to do so.