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Recep Tayyip Erdogan

ANKARA. — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday launched a scathing personal attack against German Chancellor Angela Merkel, accusing her of using “Nazi measures” in an intensifying dispute between Ankara and Berlin.

Tensions flared after German authorities refused to allow some Turkish ministers to campaign for a ‘yes’ vote in the April 16 referendum on expanding Erdogan’s powers, and he responded by saying Berlin was behaving like Nazi Germany.

“When we call them Nazis they (Europe) get uncomfortable. They rally together in solidarity. Especially Merkel,” Erdogan said in a televised speech.

“But you are right now employing Nazi measures,” Erdogan told Merkel using the informal ‘you’ in Turkish.

“Against who? My Turkish brother citizens in Germany and brother ministers” who went to the country to hold campaign rallies for a ‘yes’ vote in next month’s referendum.

Authorities in Germany have blocked some Turkish ministers from holding rallies, infuriating Ankara.

Erdogan said the crisis in relations with Europe over the last days “showed that a new page had been opened in the ongoing fight against our country.” — AFP