'How is this ALLOWED?' Fury as Turkish PM holds election rally in GERMANY
HUNDREDS of protesters voiced their fury when Turkish Prime Minister visited a German city in a bizarre stunt for German-Turkish votes, after the leader was able to ban German-born journalists from the rally.
Turkish Prime Minister campaigns for votes in Germany
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim took a controversial detour on his visit to Germany on Saturday to stump for German-Turkish votes, ahead of a key national referendum.
A whopping 1.5 million votes are up for grab in Germany, with the biggest Turkish diaspora outside of the country.
However, many were outraged that a Turkish politician was allowed to hold a political rally as if he was in his own country.
Others criticised the event as the PM banned several German journalists and restricted those who were allowed into the political speech.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim spoke to a crowd of more than 10,000 Turks
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Those unhappy with the rally voiced their concern that the opposite scenario - a European politician campaigning in Turkey - would be unimaginable.
The political address, which took place in a giant arena in Oberhausen, a city in western Germany, tried to rally support for April's constitutional referendum.
Mr Yildirim told supporters that if they love their country, they have to vote yes - a decision which would dramatically expand the powers of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Critics claim the new presidential system would cement one-man authoritarian rule in the country.
These fears prompted hundreds of opponents to protest outside the stadium.
A German Government spokesman said of the event: "We assume that all people involved in the Oberhausen event will make sure that Germany will not become the setting for infighting among Turkish people."
Several German journalists were denied access during the speech despite been granted accredition
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I find it shocking that a Turkish prime minister has no qualms about taking advantage of our democracy while he and his henchmen make their opponents disappear behind bars
However, MPs criticised the planned speech after several German journalists were banned from covering the campaign event.
People on Twitter also voiced concern that German taxpayers would have to foot the police bill for the massive arena rally.
Those on social media also asked how this was allowed to happen in Germany.
Others described the massive arena as being transformed into "mini-Istanbul".
The event also comes just a day after Turkey detained a correspondent for German newspaper Die Welt.
Rolf Mützenich a German MP from the Social Democrats, said: “Mr Yildirim should rather ensure the liberation of the journalist."
Many were outraged that a Turkish politician was allowed to hold a rally as if it was Turkey
Mr Yildirim told supporters that if they love their country, they have to vote yes
Die Linke politician Sevim Dagdelen said Yildirim should be denied entry in order to prevent this "ad campaign for a Turkish dictatorship".
Cem Ozdemir of the Greens added: "I find it shocking that a Turkish prime minister has no qualms about taking advantage of our democracy while he and his henchmen make their opponents disappear behind bars."
German politicians said Turks in Germany should be politically involved in Germany, rather than flocking to Turkish politicians.