Interior Minister Soylu refers to upcoming elections as ‘West’s coup attempt’

Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu on April 27 referred to the upcoming elections as the “West’s political coup attempt,” while speaking during a visit to an Islamic foundation.

Duvar English

Interior Minister and ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Istanbul parliamentary candidate Süleyman Soylu visited the Istanbul Foundation for Science and Culture, an Islamic association, on April 27.

Speaking at the foundation, Soylu said, "May 14 (the election date) is a political coup attempt by the West. It is a coup attempt that can be initiated by bringing together each of the preparations to purge Turkey on May 14.” 

He claimed that these ideals were uttered by the “head of the United States years ago” and added, “When all the methods they have tried in the past failed, they stated that they could take over Turkey only with such a way." The minister did not specifically mention any names and what those methods were. 

Soylu shared pictures from the visit on his social media account and tweeted: "July 15 was a de facto coup attempt. May 14, 2023 is the political coup attempt that can be initiated by bringing together each of the preparations to purge Turkey.”