Diplomacy sacrificed for votes

RUN-UP TO ELECTIONS
In the run-up to elections set to be held in the Netherlands on Wednesday and the referendum in Turkey, the crisis stoked up by the two countries’ politicians with domestic political concerns in mind is escalating. The expulsion from the Netherlands of Minister Betül Sayan Kaya, who went there despite being told not to come, has lent a fresh dimension to the crisis.
ILLICIT CAMPAIGNING ABROAD
With Erdoğan’s ‘Nazi’ accusations courting outrage in the Netherlands, strident statements continue to be exchanged. Both governments have voiced their expectations of an apology. The AKP government has made known its determination to continue campaigning abroad using state resources despite this being illegal.