THE unprecedented events in Europe, and especially the Netherlands, relating to the Turkish referendum represent a chilling glimpse of the future in which the Turkish republic is our opponent rather than our Nato ally (“Turkey rage in Nazism row”, The Herald, March 13).
That these confrontations were engineered by President Erdogan’s government, which is courting the ultra-nationalist vote to help win a constitutional referendum, can little be doubted.
This referendum to convert Turkey from a parliamentary to a presidential form of government is alarming as should it pass it will in effect be President Erdogan’s enabling act. Given his behaviour after last year’s coup attempt, when thousands were arrested and reportedly 100,000 civil servants dismissed, it is clear that this is a man who will push the limits of these further powers to the maximum.
Furthermore, these events tells us that Mr Erdogan views his country’s European NATO allies with contempt and does not expect us to remain Turkey’s allies.
After the referendum, the president will turn to the EU’s failure to honour the commitment made to visa-free travel for Turkish citizens. The inevitable result will be that Turkey reopens its western borders for migrants and re-ignites the migrant crisis.
We need to wake up to the fact that under President Erdogan Turkey is no longer our ally, but a key opponent.
Otto Inglis,
6 Inveralmond Grove, Edinburgh.
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