Turkish President Erdogan Unscripted

Erdogan with an arrogant CNN reporter:
- Biden wants to topple me
- We will not sanction Russia
- If you don’t sell your weapons, don’t be upset if we buy Russian weapons
- Sweden is not ready for NATO pic.twitter.com/9ncVENgebN

— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) May 19, 2023

WNU Editor: Turkish President Erdogan is very blunt on where he stands in the above video.

Is Turkey About To Elect A New President?

FILE PHOTO: Kemal Kilicdaroglu, presidential candidate of main opposition alliance, holds an election rally in Izmir 

Reuters: Turkey's Kilicdaroglu exits Erdogan's shadow in election race 

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Stuck in Tayyip Erdogan's shadow throughout his career, opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu believes his time has come to set Turkey on a new path and roll back much of the legacy of the man who has dominated politics for two decades. 

An alliance of six opposition parties named the earnest and sometimes feisty former civil servant as its candidate to take on Erdogan in the May 14 elections, which are seen as perhaps the most consequential in the country's modern history. 

Opinion polls generally show Kilicdaroglu, 74, holding an edge, and possibly winning in a second round vote, after an inclusive campaign promising solutions to a cost-of-living crisis that eroded the president's popularity in recent years.  

Read more ....  

Update: Turkey’s upcoming elections could unseat Erdogan. Here’s everything you need to know (CNN)  

WNU Editor: My money is still on Erdogan being re-elected. But my gut tells me that it is going to be close.  

Update #2: I agree with this analysis .... Turkey set to keep strong Russia ties whoever wins election (Reuters).

There Are Reports On Social Media That Turkish President Erdogan Has Suffered A Heart Attack

#Erdogan said that on the advice of doctors he had cancelled today's trip to #Turkish cities as part of the election campaign. The day before, during an interview with Ülke TV, he suddenly felt bad and the broadcast was interrupted, according to SonDakika. pic.twitter.com/LMgMdNF1BV

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) April 26, 2023

JUST IN 🚨 Chinese state media claims Turkey president Erdogan has suffered heart attack and is in critical condition in the hospital pic.twitter.com/qMeZYTxMRZ

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) April 26, 2023

WNU Editor: This is breaking news. A Turkish official has said that he is good health, but there are now reports that he is a hospital, and family members have been called to be by his side. WNU will update this story when more information becomes available. The video above is from yesterday.

Turkish President Erdogan Cancels Campaign Citing Illness

 

Bloomberg: Turkey’s Erdogan Cancels Campaign Trips After Off-Camera Illness 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan canceled three scheduled campaign appearances less than a month before high-stakes elections after falling ill during a live television interview.

Broadcasting was disrupted for several minutes on Tuesday evening after Erdogan, 69, became sick with what he said was stomach flu. 

In power for the past two decades, Erdogan has developed a reputation as a tireless strongman who rarely cancels events, so the sudden and public nature of the incident initially shocked viewers. 

But his aides have since said the president was in good health and would resume his regular schedule after taking a day’s rest.  

Read more .... 

Update #1: Turkey's Erdogan cancels election rallies for a day for health reasons (Reuters)  

Update #2: Erdoğan cancels public rallies after health scare (Politico.eu)  

WNU Editor: He is having a tough re-election campaign, but my gut tells me that he will still win the Presidency again on May 14.

Turkish President Erdogan Says Turkey 'Will Not Back Down' In East Mediterranean Standoff

The Oruc Reis vessel is accompanied by a naval convey as it searches for oil and gas in the contested region of the Mediterranean

Reuters: Erdogan says Turkey 'will not back down' in east Med standoff

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday Turkey will not back down to threats of sanctions nor to incursions on its claimed territory in the Mediterranean Sea, where it is in a standoff with EU-member Greece over oil and gas exploration rights.

European Union foreign ministers on Friday said Ankara’s actions were antagonistic and dangerous after a meeting requested by Athens.

Tensions between NATO members Greece and Turkey have risen in the past week after Turkey sent the Oruc Reis survey vessel, escorted by warships, to map out possible oil and gas drilling in territory over which both countries claim jurisdiction.

“We will never bow to banditry on our continental shelf. We will not back down against the language of sanctions and threats,” Erdogan said in the northeastern city of Rize.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: I agree .... Erdoğan is both a bully and a menace. Europe ignores him at its peril (Simon Tisdall, The Guardian).

More News On Turkish President Erdogan Saying Turkey 'Will Not Back Down' In East Mediterranean Standoff

Erdogan: Turkey 'won't back down' in Mediterranean drilling row -- DW
‘We won’t allow banditry on our continental shelf’: Erdogan says Turkey won’t back down amid Mediterranean standoff -- RT
Mediterranean crisis: Turkey warns Greece, slams 'bully' France -- Al Jazeera
Erdogan says any attack on Turkish ship in Mediterranean dispute will exact 'high price' -- Reuters
Turkish President Erdogan threatens a 'heavy price' to attackers of country's oil vessel Oruc Reis as France sends its navy into the eastern Mediterranean in support of Greece -- Daily Mail

Turkish President Erdoğan Says He Admires President Trump, Russian President Putin, And Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani As The Leaders He Admires The Most

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a joint press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister at Varkert Bazar cultural center in Budapest. November 07, 2019 AFP

Ahval: Erdoğan names Putin, Trump among leaders he most admires

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday listed President of the United States, Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Qatar's Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani as world leaders whom he most admires.

The Turkish president said Europe lacked an inspirational leader and he struggles to name from the continent during a Q&A with university students in capital Ankara, Ihlas news agency reported.

"When we look at Europe, there is a serious leadership crisis, a leadership vacuum," the Turkish president said, adding, "I don't find the courage in myself to say such and such leader is exemplary in Europe."

Read more ....

Update: Erdogan Names Trump, Putin Among Leaders Whom He Admires (Haaretz)

WNU Editor: He is not impressed with any European leader .... No ‘exemplary leaders’ in EU? Erdogan says ‘leadership void’ is plaguing Europe (RT). And on that point I agree with him 100%.

Turkish President Erdogan's Approval Numbers Are The Highest Since His Re-Election In 2018

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses lawmakers from of his ruling AK Party during a meeting at the parliament in Ankara, Turkey, October 30, 2019. Presidential Press Office/Handout via REUTERS

Reuters: Turks' support for Erdogan jumps after Syria operation, poll shows

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turks’ support for President Tayyip Erdogan surged last month, when Ankara launched a military incursion in northeastern Syria to clear the Kurdish YPG militia from near its border, a survey by Metropoll showed on Tuesday.

Erdogan’s approval rating rose by 3.7 percentage points in October to 48%, the survey showed, its highest level since shortly after presidential elections in June of 2018, which were held before last year’s currency crisis took hold.

His disapproval rate fell 9.3 percentage points to 33.7%, its lowest level since a failed coup in July 2016. Some 18% of participants did not respond to the survey question or said they had no idea.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: My Turkish friends says that this is just a brief jump in support. The economy is his Achilles Heel, and it is not going to get better anytime soon. My take is different. His support has always been there, and it is solid. If it was not, he would have been gone a long time ago.

Turkish President Erdogan Says That For Arabs The Only Suitable Area For Them Is The Desert

Erodgan, talking about northeast Syria with TRT yesterday, said: "The most suitable for this area are Arabs. These areas are not suitable for the lifestyle of Kurds."

Asked, in what way? "Because these are virtually desert regions."

via @AliKucukgocmenpic.twitter.com/WvcIANcCba

— Sarah Dadouch | سارة دعدوش (@SarahDadouch) October 25, 2019

WNU Editor: Turkish President Erdogan definitely has some strong (and racist) views on race, culture, and ethnicity.

Turkish Presdient Erdogan: Khashoggi Recordings 'Appalling', Shocked Saudi Intelligence

Reuters: Turkey's Erdogan says Khashoggi recordings 'appalling', shocked Saudi intelligence

President Tayyip Erdogan said recordings related to the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, which Turkey has shared with Western allies, are “appalling” and shocked a Saudi intelligence officer who listened to them, Turkish media reported on Tuesday.

Khashoggi, a critic of de facto Saudi ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed in Saudi Arabia’s Istanbul consulate on Oct. 2 in a hit which Erdogan says was ordered at the “highest levels” of the Saudi government.

Six weeks after Khashoggi’s death, Turkey is trying to keep up pressure on Prince Mohammed and has released a stream of evidence that undermined Riyadh’s early denials of involvement.

Prine Mohammed won support on Tuesday from U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, who said he did not think recordings of the killing shared by Turkey implicated the young crown prince.

Read more ....

Update #1: 'Appalling' Khashoggi audio shocked Saudi intelligence – Erdoğan -- The Guardian
Update #2: Erdogan: Audio recording of Khashoggi killing is a 'true disaster' -- CNN

WNU Editor: There is growing blow-back against President Erdogan's remarks on the Khashoggi murder .... Khashoggi recordings being used as 'political game,' French foreign minister says (ABC News). As to what is my take .... Erdogan in Turkey, Salman in Saudi Arabia .... the "coffee pot is calling the tea kettle that it is black".

Fire And Fury From Turkish President Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses members of parliament as he attends the reopenning of the Turkish parliament after the summer recess in Ankara, Turkey, Oct. 1, 2018. Reuters/Umit Bektas

Al-Monitor: Erdogan greets Turkish lawmakers with fire, fury as parliament convenes

Turkey’s all-powerful President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the inaugural session of the country’s recently defanged parliament today, throwing punches at the United States and vowing to wipe out Kurdish militants in Syria and Iraq and to further cooperation with Russia and the European Union. The speech dispelled any illusions that Erdogan, tempered by Turkey’s ailing economy, may be shifting course in any meaningful manner or anytime soon.

Read more ....

More News On Turkish President Erdogan

Erdogan urges Turks to report price hikes, says government will raid stores -- Reuters
Erdogan vows to eliminate terror threat in Iraq’s north -- Anadolu Agency
Turkey's Erdogan says to secure east of Euphrates in Syria -- Reuters
Turkey will not turn its back on Europe, says President Erdoğan -- Hurriyet Daily News
Turkey will resist U.S. sanctions over pastor, Erdogan says -- Reuters
Turkey's Erdoğan accuses detained US pastor of having 'dark links with terror' -- The Hill
US lost its credibility by engaging in trade war with the world – Erdogan -- RT
Turkey’s Erdogan Threatens Greece and Cyprus on Cyprus’ Independence Day -- Greek Reporter

Turkish President Erdogan Has Put Himself Head Of The $40 Billion State Wealth Fund And His Son-In-Law Deputy As Its Deputy

DW: Turkey's Erdogan names himself head of state wealth fund

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has put himself in charge of a $40-billion state wealth fund that he said failed to reach the "desired" goals. His son-in-law, Finance Minister Berat Albayrak, serves as deputy.

Turkey Wealth Fund, the state-backed financial entity which owns nearly half of Turkish Airlines and other stakes in over a dozen large companies, is now headed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to the country's Official Gazette.

The value of the fund is estimated at $40 billion (€34.4 billion), and can be used to maintain pensions and welfare systems in times of crisis or to finance major projects.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Here is an easy prediction. They are going to use it as their slush fund to loot.

The Polls Have Closed In Turkey As Erdogan Seeks A Second Term As President

BBC: Turkey election: Polls close as Erdogan seeks second term

Polls have closed in the Turkish elections - where voters are deciding whether to grant President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a second five-year term.

He has faced a tough battle with Muharrem Ince, a centre-left candidate who has energised the opposition.

Casting his own vote, the president claimed there had been a high turnout. First results are due later on Sunday.

If Mr Erdogan wins, he will adopt major new powers that critics say will weaken democratic rule.

He is hoping to get more than 50% of the vote in this ballot to avoid going to a second round.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The opposition has reasons to worry .... Turkish opposition implores supporters to protect their votes from Erdogan's efforts to steal the election (Telegraph).

More News On The Elections In Turkey

The Latest: Early partial results show Erdogan in the lead -- AP
Polls close in Turkish elections that are test for Erdogan -- AP
Erdogan facing major test as voting ends in Turkey elections -- Reuters
Turkey: Erdogan faces test in critical elections -- DW
On Eve of Turkey’s Election, Only Erdogan Gets TV Time -- Bloomberg
A look at candidates running in Turkey's presidential race -- FOX News/AP
Turkey elections: Erdogan faces tough challenge as country votes -- Gul Tuysuz, Isil Sariyuce and Angela Dewan, CNN

Turkish President Erdogan Promises New Military Campaigns Should He Win Re-Election

Erdogan delivers a speech during the AK party's provincial congress in Istanbul [Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Turkish Presidency]

AFP: Erdogan vows more cross-border offensives in election manifesto

Istanbul (AFP) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday vowed to launch further cross-border offensives against terror groups as he revealed his ruling party's manifesto ahead of snap elections on June 24.

Erdogan made a series of promises about the economy and uniting the country during a rally in Istanbul attended by several thousand people.

The Turkish head of state last month announced snap presidential and parliamentary elections on June 24 to the surprise of Turkish politics observers.

Experts say Erdogan wants to exploit the rising nationalist feeling after an operation in Syria this year and to hold polls before the economy worsens.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: So he wants to be the war candidate. I guess he gave up on the Kurdish vote.

More News On Turkish President Erdogan Promising New Military Campaigns Should He Win Re-Election

In election manifesto, Erdogan vows new military campaigns -- ABC News/AP
Turkey's Erdogan says will carry out new military operations after Syria offensives -- Reuters
Erdogan pursues EU accession at manifesto unveiling -- Euronews
Erdogan unveils election manifesto, vows new cross-border push -- Al Jazeera

Turkish President Erdogan Rejects NATO's Apology Over 'Enemy Poster'

Turkey’s President Erdogan rejects NATO apology for placing his name on an "enemy poster" at a drill in Norway

— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) November 18, 2017

Reuters: Turkey's Erdogan rebuffs NATO apology over 'enemy poster'

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday batted back an apology from the NATO military alliance after his name appeared on an “enemy poster” at a drill, saying such disrespectful behavior could not be so easily forgiven.

“You have seen the disrespectful behavior at the NATO drill yesterday. There are some mistakes that are done not by fools but only by base people,” Erdogan said in a speech broadcast live on television.

“This matter cannot be covered over with a simple apology,” he said.

Read more ....

Update: ‘Simple apology’ is not enough: Insulted Erdogan on NATO ‘impudence’ over enemy-chart scandal (RT)

Previous Post: Turkey Withdraws Its Soldiers From A NATO Exercise After Turkey Was Depicted As The 'Enemy' (November 17, 2017)

WNU Editor: Talk about someone who has a very thin skin.

Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan Rejects ‘Moderate Islam’. Labels It As An Attempt By The West To Weaken Islam

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. © AFP

RT: Erdogan rejects ‘moderate Islam’ as a Western tool to weaken Muslims

The idea of ‘moderate Islam’ was invented by the West and is being used to weaken the ancient religion, Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan has said in reference to Saudi Arabia’s reforms, while also lashing out at the EU’s “discrimination” of Muslims.

Last month, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, vowed to restore “moderate” Islam to the kingdom considered to be "home" of the religion. The Gulf monarchy currently follows a Salafist or Wahhabi version of Islam that is often described as being "ultraconservative" and administered through Islamic Sharia law. In what appears to be a direct reference to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Erdogan denounced a “moderate” interpretation of Islam in a speech delivered at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Women’s Advisory Council on Friday.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The pro-Turkish government news website "Daily Sabath" also carried the same news headline until today where it was scrubbed for this .... Discrimination against Muslim women in EU states spreading like a virus, Erdoğan says (Daily Sabah). I guess someone realized that a headline advocating Turkish President Recep Erdogan's support for 'hardcore Islam' may send out the wrong image of the Turkish President to the West.

Violence Breaks Out During Turkish President Erdogan's Speech In New York

New York Times: Fighting Breaks Out at Turkish President’s Speech in New York

Violence broke out at a New York hotel Thursday afternoon when protesters disrupted a speech by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.

In the middle of Mr. Erdogan’s speech, delivered in Turkish, a man — one of a handful of protesters — screamed in English: “You’re a terrorist. Get out of my country!” The ballroom at the Marriott Marquis hotel in Times Square instantly erupted, with many attendees chanting Mr. Erdogan’s name to drown out the protesters.

Videos showed the protesters — one of them wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with a picture of Michael Israel, an American who was killed in a Turkish airstrike while volunteering with the Kurdish People’s Protection Units, or Y.P.G. — being punched and slapped by several attendees as security personnel removed them from the room. Security also removed at least one person who had assaulted the protesters.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Here we go again. For those who forgot .... New Video Emerges Showing Turkish President Erdogan Observing Clashes in DC (May 19, 2017).

More News On Violence Breaking Out During Turkish President Erdogan's Speech In New York

Violence Breaks Out As Turkish President Erdogan Speaks In New York -- BuzzFeed
Videos show protesters at NY Erdogan speech punched, hit while being removed -- CBS
Protesters violently ejected from Erdogan speech in NYC -- FOX News
Violence erupts during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's speech in New York -- Business Insider
Turkish president’s bodyguards pummel protesters again -- NYPost

New Video Emerges Showing Turkish President Erdogan Observing Clashes in DC

CNN: New footage shows Erdogan watching Washington brawl

(CNN)New video footage has emerged that shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan looking on as Turkish security officials beat up protesters outside the country's embassy in Washington earlier this week.

Erdogan, who met with US President Donald Trump at the White House just hours before the fighting broke out on Tuesday, briefly witnessed the brawl in which nine people were left requiring hospital treatment.

A video shows the Turkish President standing near his car as the fighting ensued, before turning his back and walking into the embassy.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: What's my take. He goes to see President Trump .... and he does not get what he wants (a stop in U.S. military support for the Kurdish Syrian military force YPG ). He goes to the residence of the Turkish ambassador, talks to the security guard for a few moments, the security communicates to the guards watching the demonstration, a few seconds later the protesters are attacked and Erdogan steps out of his car to watch the fighting. I could be wrong .... but when you looked at what happened, the context, and the timetable .... you can tell that Erdogan was furious that his meeting produced nothing, and he unloaded on the Kurdish demonstrators.

More News On A New Video Emerging That Shows Turkish President Erdogan Observing Clashes in DC

Erdogan Watched Guards Beat Protesters -- VOA
State Dept. summons Turkish ambassador over DC brawl -- The Hill
State Department Summons Turkish Ambassador After Bloody Brawl in D.C. -- NBC
'I could have died': how Erdoğan's bodyguards turned protest into brawl -- The Guardian
How the US Could Prosecute the Turkish Guards Who Beat Protesters in Washington as Erdogan Watched -- Newsweek

Turkey Goes To The Polls On Sunday To Vote On Expanding The Powers Of President Erdogan

BBC: Turkey referendum: Campaigning ends ahead of landmark vote

The final day of campaigning in Turkey has ended ahead of a referendum on whether to grant sweeping new powers to the president.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking to replace the parliamentary system with an executive presidency.

Approval could see him stay in office until 2029.

Supporters say a "yes" vote would streamline and modernise the country; opponents fear the move would lead to increasingly authoritarian rule.

If the referendum vote falls in Mr Erdogan's favour, it would give him vastly enhanced powers to appoint cabinet ministers, issue decrees, choose senior judges and dissolve parliament.

Read more ....

More News On Tomorrow's Turkish Referendum

Turkey heads to polls in knife-edge referendum -- France 24
Turks vote in historic referendum on expanding Erdogan's power -- Reuters
Pitched campaign battle concludes in Turkey ahead of referendum -- DW
Turkey Braces For Referendum On President's Powers -- RFE
Turkey referendum: Constitutional change and questions on power -- Al Jazeera
Turkey referendum: President Recep Tayep Erdogan pushes for more power -- ABC News Online
Observers to guard against voter fraud in Turkey's referendum -- DW
Why the Turkish Referendum Matters to the U.S. and to the World -- Sofia Lotto Persio, Newsweek
Analysis: Turkey Faces Lose-Lose Choice in Referendum -- Paul Alexander, VOA

Turkish President Erdogan Warns Europeans 'Will Not Walk Safely' If Diplomatic Row Continues

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan attends a ceremony marking the 102nd anniversary of Battle of Canakkale, also known as the Gallipoli Campaign, in Canakkale, Turkey, March 18, 2017. REUTERS/Osman Orsal

Reuters: Erdogan warns Europeans 'will not walk safely' if attitude persists

ANKARA (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Europeans would not be able to walk safely on the streets if they kept up their current attitude towards Turkey, his latest salvo in a row over campaigning by Turkish politicians in Europe.

Turkey has been embroiled in a dispute with Germany and the Netherlands over campaign appearances by Turkish officials seeking to drum up support for an April 16 referendum that could boost Erdogan's powers.

Ankara has accused its European allies of using "Nazi methods" by banning Turkish ministers from addressing rallies in Europe over security concerns. The comments have led to a sharp deterioration in ties with the European Union, which Turkey still aspires to join.

Read more ....

Update #1: Erdogan's rhetoric threatens Turkey's future relations with EU (Euronews).
Update #2: Turkey's Erdogan warns Europeans 'will not walk safely on the streets' if diplomatic row continues (The Independent)

WNU Editor: With allies like this .... who needs enemies.

An Inside Look At How The Erdogan's Live In Turkey

Daily Mail: The £43m-a-year President, his 'shopaholic' wife and their £2,000 per roll silk wallpaper in the bathroom: Inside Turkey tyrant's £500million palace... so dripping in gold 'it would have even made Saddam blush'

* Turkey President Recep Erdogan has £139million fortune and three palaces
* Wife is known for her love of luxury shopping trips and antique collecting
* She caused chaos by closing a Brussels shopping centre for retail therapy
* And in Warsaw she spent £37,000 on some antiques in one splurge alone

She claims to live a 'humble and modest' life with strict Muslim values, whiling away the hours in palace kitchen fermenting apples and turning them into vinegar.

But while her tyrant husband President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has amassed a £139million fortune with at least three palaces across Turkey, his 'shopaholic' wife Emine likes nothing more than spending money.

Emine Erdogan's jet-set lifestyle is a whirlwind of one shopping trip after another where her particular passions are designer clothes and expensive antiques.

As a quarter of her country live in extreme poverty and almost two million live on just £3 a day, the president's wife boasts she drinks specialist white tea at £1,500 a kilo… and drinks it from gold leaf glasses worth £250 each.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: It's good to be King .... but make sure that you survive the coup.