(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) Turkish officials, including Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavushoglu,
criticized The Economist and other media outlets for their latest
editions, which feature blatantly biased anti-Erdogan cover urging
Turkish citizens to vote him out, trend reports citing daily sabah .
Slamming the London-based weekly for deciding on behalf of the
Turkish people, Cavushoglu said it is interfering in the domestic
affairs of the country.
"Nobody can usurp the will of the Turkish people," Cavushoglu
said Thursday.
“They're saying Erdogan should go, he must go. They're making
decisions on behalf of the Turkish people, or are trying to give
advice to them. Why should Erdogan go?” the foreign minister
said.
He continued by saying that there would've been a global food
crisis if it wasn't for President Erdogan's efforts to ensure the
grain initiative and that it is unacceptable for foreign media
outlets to interfere in the domestic affairs of a country.
Cavushoglualso criticized Germany for refusing to authorize
Türkiye for setting up polling stations in more areas to meet the
soaring demand of voters in the country.
The minister also noted that he has retracted his op-ed for The
Economist's next issue and that the Turkish people would respond to
The Economist on May 14, the day of the elections.
The Economist's latest edition featured a cover with the title
“The Most Important Election of 2023” adorned with tags“Save
Democracy” and“Erdogan Must Go.”
French Le Point and L'Express magazines also featured
anti-Erdogan covers, with the former referring to Erdogan as“the
other Putin” while L'Express associated him with the risk of chaos,
with subheadings including relations with Europe, the migrants and
the Middle East, as well as his discussions with Russian President
Vladimir Putin.
Both magazines featured photos edited to villanize the
president.
Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun
also criticized the Western media outlets for their anti-Erdogan
rhetoric.
Criticizing the media outlets for completely disregarding the
principle of impartiality, Altun said they are trying to manage
perception through their propaganda.
Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag also criticized The Economist's
issue, saying that it is none of the magazine's business to decide
who would win the vote.
“Who will decide on Erdogan's departure? The Economist? What is
it up to them?” Bozdag said.
He continued by criticizing the biased publication, saying that
the president has always won through democracy and embraced the
will of the people during crises, such as the July 15 failed coup
attempt.
He also noted that the Turkish people are also staunch
defendants of democracy and did not hesitate to stand up against
tanks and bullets on the night of the coup attempt to protect
it.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) spokesperson
Omer Celik also criticized Western media outlets for anti-Erdogan
rhetoric, saying that they have all mobilized to influence the
political process in Türkiye.