Recep Tayyip Erdogan questioned Emmanuel Macron’s “mental health” because of his attitude towards the Muslims of France. Previously, the Turkish head of state had denounced the idea of “structuring Islam” in France as a provocation.
“All that can be said of a head of state who treats millions of members of different religious communities in this way is: First go for mental health exams,” Erdogan said in a televised speech.
“Macron needs treatment,” he said.
“What problem does the person named Macron have with Islam and with Muslims? “Mr. Erdogan asked himself.
He also predicted that Macron would lose the next presidential election in 2022 “because he did nothing for France”.
“You spend your time attacking Erdogan, it won’t bring you anything,” the Turkish president said.
Two weeks ago, Erdogan denounced as a provocation the French President’s statements on ‘Islamist separatism’ and the need to ‘structure Islam’ in France.
The French President announced earlier in October his plans to “free the Islam of France from foreign influences”. Among the problems, Macron cited the lack of transparency of donations that can be a source of “influence, more pernicious and more serious”.
The bill “against separatism” is due to be submitted to the Council of Ministers on 9 December. The list of measures contains an obligation of neutrality in the public services, the possibility of dissolving associations in particular “for the purpose of violating the dignity of the person” and a charter of mandatory secularism for associations which apply for grants.
Following the assassination of Professor Samuel Paty in the Yvelines, Emmanuel Macron also pointed out that “actions will intensify” against radical Islam in the country.
The Elysée Palace denounces today the “unacceptable” comments made by Recep Tayyip Erdogan against Emmanuel Macron.
“President Erdogan’s remarks are unacceptable. Extremism and rudeness are not a method. We demand that Erdoğan change the course of his policy because it is dangerous in every respect. We do not enter into unnecessary polemics and do not accept insults,” the Elysée told our AFP colleagues.
“Go to mental health exams first”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the attitude of his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron towards Muslims on Saturday.
The Elysée did not receive “messages of condolences and support from the Turkish President after the murder of Samuel Paty”.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s rhetoric has recently been marked by “very offensive” comments, both on the call for a “boycott of French products” and on Emmanuel Macron’s mental health, slammed the presidency.
The French President’s decision not to “give up the caricatures” of the prophet has sparked a dismay and calls to boycott French products in several countries.
In this, Macron assured that “actions will intensify” against radical Islam in the country and announced the dissolution of the Sheik Yassine collective.
The former French chief of staff accused Turkey of funding radical Islamist movements and called on Paris to work to end Ankara’s unacceptable actions.
France and the international community must put an end to the unacceptable behavior of Turkey, which is also a member of the Atlantic Alliance, according to former Chief of the Defense Staff Pierre de Villiers.
“We are in a very unstable world. And there is one phenomenon that is not talked about enough: the return of the power states. Among these powerful states, there is Turkey, and Erdogan’s Turkey […] which manifests itself in a number of military actions,” said Mr. de Villiers on the BFM TV plateau.
“It is not acceptable for this country to stand up and behave as a NATO member,” said Mr. de Villiers. “I believe that France and the international community need to stop it.”
The former chief of staff also accused Turkey, which he said is no longer a secular country but “Islamic”, of supporting and financing “some” of the Islamist terrorist movements.
Two weeks ago, Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced the French president’s statements on “Islamist separatism” and the need to “structure Islam” in France as a provocation.
A bill to combat “separatism” in France, which aims at radical Islam, is due to be introduced in early December. It aims to strengthen secularism and consolidate Republican principles in France, and has several points that could cause tension with Turkey, such as tighter control of funding for mosques or a ban on training imams abroad.
“Since its offensive in Syria, France has consistently denounced the behavior of President Erdogan, the last weeks have given us reason,” the Elysée continued.
From the tensions in the Mediterranean to the conflict in Libya, to the clashes in Karabakh, there are many issues currently between Paris and Ankara.
On Saturday, the Elysée demanded “that Turkey put an end to its dangerous adventures in the Mediterranean and the region”, and denounced the “irresponsible behavior” of Ankara in Nagorny Karabakh.
“There are demands. Erdogan has two months to answer. Action will have to be taken at the end of this year,” the Elysée said on the Eastern Mediterranean.
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