Turkey's AK party slams US official's polls remarks

By Aynur Ekiz

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party on Thursday slammed U.S. State Department spokesman Robert Palladino over his remarks on Turkish polls.

“Statement of the U.S. State Department spokesman on election process in Turkey is a statement that should be condemned,” AK Party spokesman Omer Celik told reporters at party headquarters in the capital Ankara.

Celik added that it was not “understandable” for him to make such a statement which could be interpreted as meddling in election process and results in Turkey.

"Free and fair elections are essential for any democracy. That means acceptance of legitimate election results, which is essential,” Palladino said at a press briefing.

“We expect nothing less from Turkey, which has a long, proud tradition in this respect,” he added.

Celik went on to say: “No foreign government, or any organ or statement of it, is source of legitimacy for election process and election results in Turkey.”

On Sunday, millions of Turkish voters cast their votes nationwide in elections to choose the country’s mayors, city council members, mukhtars (neighborhood officials), and members of elder councils for the next five years.

On the row of Russian S-400 missile defense system, Celik said demanding Ankara to give up a “done deal” is disrespecting the country’s sovereign rights.

Turkey's purchase of the Russian surface-to-air S-400 system has led to significantly strained ties with the U.S., which earlier this week suspended delivery of parts and services necessary to Turkey's receipt of the F-35 stealth fighter jet.

U.S. officials have suggested Turkey buy the U.S. Patriot missile system rather than the Russian S-400 system, arguing it is incompatible with NATO systems and exposes the F-35 to possible Russian subterfuge, including covert efforts to obtain critical information on the jet, which could then be relayed to Russia.

*Writing by Sena Guler