Schulz: Erdogan will get even more authoritarian

Martin Schulz, former leader of the coalition partner SPD in Germany, stated that Erdogan will be even more authoritarian after he has been elected President in Sunday’s elections.

Speaking to Dusseldorf-based daily Rhenische Post, German Social Democratic Party (SPD) former leader Martin Schulz commented on the support Erdogan has received from thousands of Turks living in Germany.

Remarking that “the rejoicing for Erdogan is also a reaction to the many disadvantages that German-Turks, who live here in the third or fourth generation and are German citizens, are still experiencing”, Schulz stressed that the celebration for an authoritarian ruler is still difficult to accept.

Asked if Erdogan would be even more authoritarian nationally and internationally after his re-election and the presidential system strengthened, Schulz said;

“Yes, very clearly. All the authoritarian rulers of the world spontaneously congratulated him - including Victor Orban. We must be prepared that he will try by all means to get the whole country on his course. The opposition in the country will have to adjust to even tougher times. Already this election campaign was not fair.”