ISTANBUL: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accused Germany on Sunday of “fascist actions” reminiscent of Nazi times in a growing row over the cancellation of political rallies aimed at drumming up support for him among the 1.5 million Turks living in Germany.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s office had no immediate comment on the remarks but the deputy leader of her Christian Democratic Union party said the Turkish president was “reacting like a wilful child that cannot have his way”.

German authorities withdrew permission last week for two rallies by Turkish citizens in German cities, at which Turkish ministers were to urge a “Yes” vote in a referendum next month on granting Erdogan sweeping new presidential powers.

The row has dragged relations between the two Nato partners to a new low. At the same time, public outrage is mounting in Germany over Ankara’s arrest of a Turkish-German journalist.

“Germany, you have no relation whatsoever to democracy and you should know that your current actions are no different to those of the Nazi period,” Erdogan said at a rally in Istanbul.

Thousands of pro-government women filled an Istanbul arena on Sunday in support of a “Yes” vote in next month’s referendum on boosting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s powers.

Waving Turkish flags, women shouted “Of course, Yes!” ahead of the April 16 vote on constitutional changes that would give Turkey an executive presidency similar to political systems in France or the United States.

Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is running the “Yes” campaign, saying the changes would bring political stability. The vote is widely seen as a referendum on Erdogan himself because the proposed plan could see him stay in power until 2029.

Opponents however say the changes that would grant sweeping new powers to the head of state would make parliament dysfunctional and promote a one-man model.

Pro-government supporters gathered at the 12,500 capacity sports complex, known as Abdi Ipekci Arena, outside Istanbul’s ancient city walls, with the campaign theme: “Yes! If women are there, democracy is there.” Erdogan himself, together with his wife Emine, showed up for the event organised by the pro-government Women and Democracy Association (KADEM), whose deputy chair is Erdogan’s younger daughter Sumeyye Erdogan Bayraktar.“When we say that, they get disturbed. Why are you disturbed?” Erdogan says he needs the proposed new powers to tackle Kurdish rebels, Islamist militants and other political enemies in a land with a history of unstable coalition governments. Critics argue a “yes” vote in the April 16 vote would abolish checks and balances already eroded over 15 years of his rule.

Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci, who had one meeting cancelled last week, said he would speak at rallies with Turkish citizens in the cities of Leverkusen and Cologne on Sunday.

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2017