JINHA

ÎDIR –A group of women in the eastern province of Iğdır held a back-turning action to show their disapproval for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's presence in their city.

Although as the President of Turkey, Tayyip Erdoğan is legally forbidden from campaigning for the upcoming parliamentary election, he has been traveling across Turkey under the pretext of holding "opening ceremonies" for new buildings and services. Opposition parties have filed complaints that his actions violate the constitution, but Tayyip Erdoğan has continued unabated—with a particular focus on the Kurdish region of Turkey.

Women in Iğdır showed their disapproval for the president's unwanted visit to their city by gathering with their backs turned to the presidential convoy as it went past. The women, like women who have protested the presidential convoy across the country, made the victory sign as he passed.

Speaking before a crowd of around 2,000 (many apparently rounded up through pressure to attend in state institutions) at the "opening ceremony," Tayyip Erdoğan seemed somewhat discomposed by the women's action.

"Now, I come here and a very interesting group—excuse me, my mannersdon't permit me, of course—are turning their backs on me and making a sign," he said, breaking from his scheduled speech script. "Now if you have a jot of courtesy, dignity, if you have a jot of talent—the place for politics is the Parliament. You talk there. You talk in the squares. Starting up with these threats, these—excuse me—immoral methods, won't get you anywhere."

The president also referred to HDP General Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş as a "bar artist" in his speech.

(nt/şg/zd/cm)