Afghan official slams Western 'smears' of Erdogan

By Sayed Khodaberdi Sadat

MAYMANA, Afghanistan (AA) – A “smear campaign” by European countries is targeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan because of the growing strength of Turkey and of Islam, according to a Afghan leader.

Sayed Anwar Sadat, the governor of northern Afghanistan's Faryab province, told Anadolu Agency said such a campaign would not affect Turkey.

“The Turkish nation will get stronger by uniting more," he added.

Sadat's statement comes shortly after tensions with Europe when the authorities in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands banned some campaign rallies by Turkish ministers ahead of country’s April 16 referendum on sweeping constitutional changes.

According to Sadat, Turkey will be even stronger under the leadership of a more powerful president if the referendum is passed on Sunday.

He added that a Yes result would also end terrorism in Turkey and lead the country to a more prosperous future.

"If I had the right to vote [for the referendum in Turkey] I'd definitely say Yes," he said.

The constitutional changes have been discussed since Erdogan was voted president in August 2014. The 18-article bill was passed by parliament in January, with 339 votes in favor -- nine more than needed to put the proposal to a referendum.

The reforms would hand wide-ranging executive powers to the president and the post of prime minister would be abolished. The president would also be allowed to retain ties to a political party.

Other changes would see the minimum age for parliamentary candidates reduced to 18 and the number of lawmakers rise to 600.

Simultaneous parliamentary and presidential elections for a five-year term would be held in November 2019 under the new constitution.

Describing Erdogan as a charismatic leader, Sadat also said that not only Turkish people but foreigners liked him as he was “the voice of the oppressed”.

Sadat added that Turkey-Afghanistan ties in education, health, agriculture and infrastructure would be stronger under Erdogan's leadership.