As tension between Turkey and European countries over the cancellation of Turkish ministers’ campaign rallies persists, the pro-Erdoğan Güneş daily on Friday depicted German Chancellor Angela Merkel as Hitler on its front page.
Putting Merkel in a Nazi uniform with a Hitler-style moustache, the daily called the chancellor a “Female Hitler.”
Accusing Germany harboring terrorists, the daily also claimed that Berlin is inciting all of Europe against Turkey: “Trying to be the leader of fascists, Merkel creates anti-Turkish enmity using Germany’s backyard — Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium.”
The daily listed France as a new member of the anti-Turkish movement in Europe.
Güneş also reiterated a government claim that Germany and the Netherlands are attacking Turkey because they are uneasy with the construction of a third airport in İstanbul.
A campaign rally to be held by ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Deputy Chairman Mehdi Eker in Hannover was cancelled on Thursday.
The campaign events of Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ, Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekçi and Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu were cancelled in Germany for similar reasons.
Another of Eker’s campaign rallies in Stockholm was moved to a different location after the landlord cancelled the rental contract on Saturday.
Turkish politicians have been traveling to Europe to campaign for an April 16 referendum in Turkey that will greatly expand President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s powers.
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium have recently cancelled the rallies, leading to crises between Turkey and European countries.
Millions of Turkish citizens who are eligible to vote in Turkish elections live across all of Europe.