Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dispelled any illusions that he would revert to his old Reformist self, declaring on Wednesday that there “is no Kurdish problem in this country” and lashing out at one of his oldest lieutenants for defending jailed Kurdish leader Selahattin Demirtas.
Addressing members of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the parliament, Erdogan used language long espoused by the country’s hawkish generals. “They say there is a Kurdish problem. What Kurdish problem? We solved it,” Erdogan said.