Opposition party leader Akşener says she wouldn’t be surprised if Erdoğan declares himself prophet

Following President Erdoğan’s highly religious rhetoric during the election campaign, opposition İYİ Party leader Akşener has stated that she wouldn’t be surprised if Erdoğan declares himself a prophet.

Monday May 08 2023 11:11 pm

İYİ Party leader Meral Akşener

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Opposition right-wing Good (İYİ) Party leader Meral Akşener on May 8 said that “I wouldn't be surprised if (Erdoğan) declares himself a prophet soon.”

Addressing citizens during a joint election rally in the southern Adana province, Akşener said “We have never encountered a language that calls its nation 'Quranless', 'godless' or 'religionless'. (Erdoğan) even said ‘We take orders from Allah.’ What a nasty, filthy language this is. I wouldn't be surprised if (Erdoğan) declares himself a prophet soon,” referring to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s highly religious rhetoric during his election campaign.

“I have been in politics for many years, I have never encountered so many insults, threats and slander remarks. I have witnessed many elections, but I have never witnessed a mentality that calls its nation 'putschists'. I have never come across a politician or language that calls his nation an ‘invader’. And I have never come across a language that targets the opposition. Women were called 'rotten', 'slut', 'miscarriage',” Akşener added.

She said the presidential election on May 14 must end in the first round. “People who need psychiatrists run this country.”

Speaking about the latest attack against main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Istanbul Mayor and vice presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, Akşener said “In the face of stoning, lynching and provocation, if the President and Interior Minister of this country, accuses Ekrem İmamoğlu and the CHP (for the attack), there is no word left to say.”

CHP Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş, CHP Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, İYİ Party leader Meral Akşener, and CHP leader and Nation Alliance’s joint presidential candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu held a joint rally in Adana province on May 8.