Following the recent elections in Türkiye, insulting remarks towards supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) have escalated into a disturbing hatred directed towards survivors of the February 6 earthquakes in the southern part of the country.
This attitude, predominantly displayed by opposition supporters, has drawn strong condemnation from President Erdoğan.
Surpassing opposition candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu in the first round of voting, Erdoğan took to Twitter on Thursday to criticize the behavior of the opposition and its supporters towards his voters. He shared a video in which a government minister conversed with a volunteer involved in search and rescue efforts, who expressed his dismay at opposition supporters insulting earthquake victims. President Erdoğan described this conduct as a reflection of a "mindset that lost its balance after the election defeat."
Erdoğan also addressed the Republican People's Party (CHP) of Kılıçdaroğlu, stating that their chair and administration were destabilized by the victory of the People's Alliance. He criticized their actions on the election night, accusing them of staging a play by claiming distorted or missing official results and falsely asserting their lead over Erdoğan and his alliance.
He further noted the absence of apologies to their supporters and the public for deliberately misleading them. The president expressed his disappointment in the opposition's attacks against citizens who did not vote for them, emphasizing that such actions were not aligned with humanitarian values, let alone political motivations.
Erdoğan's condemnation highlights the need for respect and civility in political discourse, particularly towards those affected by natural disasters, and underscores the importance of maintaining a compassionate and inclusive society. (ILKHA)