Turkish Interior Minister: The election is a political coup attempt by the West

Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu has labeled the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for May 14, as a "coup attempt." Speaking to supporters in Istanbul's Fatih district, Soylu reminded them of the failed coup attempt of July 15, 2016 and referred to the May elections as a "political coup attempt."

"July 15 was their actual coup attempt. May 14 is their political coup attempt. It is so clear and obvious. May 14, 2023, is the political coup attempt of the West. It is a coup attempt that can be created by bringing all the preparations to overthrow Turkey together on May 14. I did not say this. The person in charge of America said this years ago. They expressed that they could only take over Turkey with such a method after all the methods they tried years ago failed," Soylu said.

Soylu emphasized that the upcoming election will not be an easy one. "This election is one where everyone puts all their achievements on the table. This election is one where everyone puts all their accumulation on the table. That's why we must put all our accumulation on the table. I am trying to do that. I am trying to mobilize everything I have touched in my life. Because this is not just our personal matter. This is not just a matter for our country," he added.

Soylu’s statement has caused reactions in the political arena.

Journalist Sedef Kabas took to Twitter to criticize Soylu's statement, saying that he has already found an excuse for their inevitable defeat in the elections by labeling it a "political coup."

Likewise, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP), Kemal Okuyan, also criticized Soylu's statement, accusing the government of turning Turkey into a playground for international monopolies, imperialists, and religious orders.

"You are the biggest coup of all. If you want, ban the elections altogether," Okuyan said.