While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is expected to go to Brussels for NATO summit next week, his supporters are mobilizing already now. The mayor is refusing to permit pro-Erdoğan demonstrations.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who carries his violence to every country he visits, is now after provocation in Brussels. Erdoğan's supporters are preparing for a welcome at the Zaventem Airport on May 24 evening and a show of strength in front of the hotel where he will stay.
These provocative actions are organised by AKP's parallel organization in Europe, Union of European Turkish Democrats (UETD). The union has applied to receive permission for these demonstrations but Mayor of Brussels Yvan Mayeur has refused to permit them.
In a statement on May 12, the socialist mayor stated he was clear on this matter, saying; “No demonstrations in support of Erdoğan will be permitted in Brussels soil on ocassion of this visit.”
Prime Minister Charles Michel also made it clear that they would not tolerate the Turkish political issues being carried to Belgium.
Erdoğan's visit to Brussels in 2014 became a scandal as the Stephanie Square where Erdoğan family stayed was occupied by his supporters with Turkish flags and Erdoğan's images. Tramway services were cancelled at Avenue Louise till the midnight and the city traffic got paralysed.
During this year's April 16 referendum campaign, AKP supporters hanged banners symbolizing the election as “a crescent-cross struggle”.
In the meantime, “AKP Belgium” declared Erdoğan “world leader” on their Facebook page, and called on the people to gather at the Stephanie Square starting from 18:00 on May 24, Wednesday.
