Harsh Turkish Political Language Getting the Red Card in Europe

Turkish politicians are learning the hard way that the harsh language they generally use at home is not only unacceptable in European forums but it is also hurting Turkey’s political standing in the international scene.

Turkish leaders have progressively been using harsh language against their opponents, both in their parliamentary speeches and in the rally squares to keep the domestic political scene simmering. However, in recent months they have started to adopt this attitude at European forums or in their dealings with other European governments, and they have been strongly rebuffed.

The latest example were remarks by minister for European Union Affairs and chief negotiator in accession talks with the EU Egemen Bagis, who irked the Germans when he said that if Chancellor Angela Merkel continues her negative stance against Turkey’s EU membership, she, too, will be sent fishing as a retired politician in the same way former French President Nicholas Sarkozy who vehemently opposed Turkish membership in the EU and eventually lost the elections in 2012. Bagis made the comments at the Golden Horn Congress Center during the Istanbul TV Forum on June 20. His remarks were televised live.

Bagis was reacting to news on June 20 that EU member states had failed to reach the necessary consensus when Germany and the Netherlands voiced reservations on opening a new negotiating chapter with Turkey which could have marked an upswing in ties.