In a video shared online the representative of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Austria Mahmut Koç says if the transition to an executive presidency in an April 16 referendum is not realized, Turkey will face civil war.
Speaking to an audience in Austria in favor of the executive presidency, Koç says in the video, “If a bad result comes out of this referendum, God forbid, a civil war will break out,” in an attempt to convince people to work for the “yes” campaign.
Main opposition Republican People’s Party deputy Tuncay Özcan shared the video bearing Kurdish news agency ANF’s logo on Saturday on social media.
Earlier during the week, AKP Manisa provincial deputy chairman Ozan Erdem, who warned of a civil war if a “no” vote emerges from the referendum, resigned from his post.
Erdem came to public attention with his controversial remarks during an AKP youth wing meeting in Manisa’s Soma district on Monday, suggesting that party members must be ready for a civil war if the referendum on the constitutional amendment package that will switch Turkey to an executive presidency fails to be approved.