Harsh Turkish Political Language Getting the Red Card in Europe
Turkish politicians are finding out the hard way that the language they use at home to win populist applause is unacceptable in the European arena.
![TURKEY-EU/ Turkey's EU Affairs Minister Egemen Bagis talks during an interview with Reuters in Istanbul June 26, 2012. Turkey expects France to unblock talks that are essential if it is ever to join the European Union, now that Socialist President Francois Hollande has replaced Nicolas Sarkozy who was outspoken in opposing the Muslim country's bid to join the bloc. Picture taken June 26, 2012. To match Interview TURKEY-EU/ REUTERS/Murad Sezer (TURKEY - Tags: POLITICS) - RTR3483U](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2013/06/Bagis.jpg/Bagis.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=O3H9bBJx)
Turkish politicians are learning the hard way that the harsh language they generally use at home is not only unacceptable in European forums but it is also hurting Turkey’s political standing in the international scene.
Turkish leaders have progressively been using harsh language against their opponents, both in their parliamentary speeches and in the rally squares to keep the domestic political scene simmering. However, in recent months they have started to adopt this attitude at European forums or in their dealings with other European governments, and they have been strongly rebuffed.