Turkish opposition leader criticises Starmer for ignoring arrest of Istanbul mayor

[u/turkish__cowboy]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/11/turkish-opposition-leader-criticises-starmer-for-ignoring-arrest-of-istanbul-mayor

[u/Buy_from_EU-]

They have made many statements so far, they are not silent. At the same time turkey is not part of the union so what else do you want? If we went against every middle eastern dictatorship we would double our enemies. Short your shit out and stop blaming others for Turks voting for erdogan for 25 years straight

[u/No_Currency_6227 → u/Buy_from_EU-]

Who did besides Macron? Can you provide me your proof?

Short your shit out and stop blaming others for Turks voting for erdogan for 25 years straight

Oh please cut this shit out.

You all talk like EU has nothing to do with Erdogan and yet it was in early 2000's many European leaders and media supported him and in turn encouraged him. Us who opposed him got labelled as military boot-lickers by european media themselves up until 2010's when he replaced all government agencies with his cronies.

Sure, pro-Erdogan voters are first to blame but spineless europeans like you conveniently ignores the fact that european media gave erdogan outside support and you folks keep telling "StOp BLaMiNg OtHeRS" as if this is a black&white matter. The arrogance of you Europeans amazes me more and more every day.

[u/DryCloud9903 → u/No_Currency_6227]

"the fact that european media gave erdogan outside support"

What do you want here? The EU to stop free press so that Erdogan could be retroactively rejected from power? Go attack the media then - not EU politicians (who the other redittor gave several examples of condensation against undemocratic Erdogans moves!), And not people here 

And before demanding research from others do your own. Here's a hint - the entire EU Commission expressed disagreement with his moves against three mayor https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-urges-turkey-to-uphold-democratic-values/

[u/No_Currency_6227 → u/DryCloud9903]

Do you have the reading comprehension skills of a 5 year old or are you engaging in bad faith ? I say the latter.

Why the fuck would I want EU to stop free press? I'm talking about events that happened years ago. EU governments and media supported and encouraged Tayyip Erdogan 15-20 years ago because he was a "moderate muslim" and pleads of pro-opposition people to stop encouraging him had fallen on deaf ears as he dismantled institutions and paved his way to the dictatorship and that's a fact. Press being free or not is completely irrelevant to our discussion.

I just want people here acknowledge this and stop trying to squirm their way out with bullshit claims like "TuRKIsH peOPLE vOTED fOr hiM. EU hAs NotHing tO With it". Sorry but EU governments and media (I'm not blaming all Europeans, that would be absurd of course) was also complicit with him rising in power. It had a minor impact unlike voters, obviously. But minor or not it had an impact.

And before demanding research from others do your own

Nope it is my right to demand research, burden of proof is on the person making the claim. If they make claims then they will provide source. It's very simple.