Could Erdoğan’s rally in Cologne harm Turks living in Germany?
Turkish Prime Minister Erdoğan who has been going through a problematic period in and out of Turkey, for a while realized a rally in Cologne a few days ago whereby he addressed thousands of his Turkish supporters (fans) and made them boo German Chancellor MERKEL during his speech.
Erdoğan’s was in Cologne on Saturday to address Turkish citizens in Germany at an event celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Union of European Turkish Democrats (UETD), a Turkish civil society organization based in Germany. Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd of about 20,000 in a Cologne sports arena, Erdoğan said that Merkel called him to extend her condolences for the Soma mine disaster on May 13. When Erdoğan mentioned Merkel’s name, the crowd booed. However, when Erdoğan thanked Merkel the crowd switched from boos to cheers and applause.
This event took its place on the agenda of many critics who commented this would not help the Turks living in Germany as far as their presence and activities in said country is concerned.
Cem OZDEMIR for instance the co-chair of Germany’s Greens Party said “the booing of German Chancellor Angela Merkel by Turks living in Germany during Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s speech in Cologne had been an ugly scene that would raise question marks over Turks’ loyalty to Germany”.
OZDEMIR also said Turks might have to pay the price for this negative attitude towards MERKEL.
The Turkish politician who is a well known successfull figure in and out of Germany believes that the Turkish PM has lost support of “100 percent of Germany”. Moreover he maintains that when the crowd booed Merkel, it made a very bad impression; it was an ugly scene and it will remain in the minds of Germans.
OZDEMIR also said;
“The crowd at Erdoğan’s rally in Cologne appeared as if they were living in an enemy country, Özdemir stated, adding that the intense level of admiration for Erdoğan among his supporters both surprises and scares German society. Protests held by opposition Turkish groups against Erdoğan in which at least 50,000 attended, according to German police in Cologne, also caused fear among Germans, said Özdemir. “Previously, there was a rift between Turks and Kurds or left and right; now there’s fear whether there will be a polarization between Erdoğan’s supporters and dissidents.”
“You live and make a living here. You pay your taxes and send your children to school here and benefit from the advantages of the social state here. But you boo this country’s chancellor and idolize another country’s prime minister. Then the issue of loyalty will be brought into question. We have been attempting [to convince the German people for 50 years that we are loyal citizens. We say, ‘Trust us, there’s no need to fear.’ But the attitude of those in the hall refutes all we have been trying to advocate”.
“There was an expectation among the German society as if a monster was coming. A frightening image of Erdoğan appeared because of his speeches about the mine disaster so that people were almost going to lock their children at home because of that danger. Erdoğan cannot change this image easily. In recent years there was a positive image of Turkey; however, it has been reversed, and Erdoğan has become the symbol of a negative image of Turkey,” Özdemir said.
To summarize, Erdoğan’s appearance has brought more tension to Germany, and the Turkish prime minister has become the symbol of the “negative image of Turkey,” according to the Greens politician.
SOURCE: MEDIA
