US Meddling in Turkey Elections: Interior Minister


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The United States is meddling in elections in Turkey, Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said on Friday.

"The United States is meddling in these elections… Everyone in this country already knows this, US President (Joe Biden) himself declares this. The attack on (presidential candidate of Turkey and leader of the Memleket party) Muharrem Ince... it is clear where it came from, it is clear where it was coordinated. This is America,” Soylu said in an interview.

Ince announced on Thursday the withdrawal of his candidacy three days before the election, Sputnik reported.

On May 3, Soylu said that the US would attempt a presidential coup during the upcoming election in order to finish what was started in July 2016, when a failed attempt to remove President Erdogan from office took place, which Soylu also blamed on the US.

On Wednesday, Soylu said Western media's manipulations regarding the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in Turkey is a realization of the US' plan.

Millions will head to the polls on May 14 to vote in Turkey’s presidential and parliamentary elections. The presidential election will choose the president of Turkey using a two-round system. Simultaneously, parliamentary elections will elect 600 members of parliament to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.