Erdoğan describes opposition's criticism of gov't as 'sword of infidel swinging' at Turkey

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has likened the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP)'s criticism of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to a “sword of the infidel swinging” at Turkey. Erdoğan also accused the CHP of being a part of the “insidious plot” targeting the country.

Sunday April 11 2021 03:58 pm

Erdoğan arrives to welcome the members of International Union of Democrats (IDU) women's and youth wings at Dolmabahçe Office in Istanbul on April 11.

Duvar English

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has argued that he and Muslims were being targeted by European politicians who fail in their foreign policies.

Erdoğan also accused the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) of voicing the opinions of Western politicians in its criticism of the government.

“We are saddened when we see those who are coming on us by swinging the sword of the infidel as if to do opposition, although they have the Turkish Republic identity,” Erdoğan said on April 11, as he addressed a meeting of the women and youth branches of the Union of International Democrats (UID) in Istanbul.

UID is often described as the long arm of Erdoğan in Europe for mobilizing the Turkish and Muslim diasporas.

Erdoğan also accused the CHP officials of being “products of a project” and running campaigns which “attempt to distract our country's attention from real targets.”

“Every incident that Turkey has gone through is a part of this insidious plot. We have until now succeeded in coming over all attacks which are not natural products of our own dynamics,” Erdoğan said.

“Especially the CHP is forming a new mission for itself, by participating in every anti-Turkey scenario and continuing its lies and allegations that are products of slanders,” he said.

Topics Turkey Erdoğan CHP