Austria will try to prevent visiting Turkish ministers from campaigning for a constitutional referendum on the grounds of public safety and because they promote “abolishing democracy,” Chancellor Christian Kern said on Tuesday.

“We couldn’t just sit and watch such an appearance, but would try to prevent it on the grounds of public security,” Kern said

“So shortly before the referendum in Turkey, there is a conscious strategy of escalation. I assume that the Turkish side could try to continue this game in Austria, too.”

Dutch authorities prevented Turkish ministers last week from addressing rallies over Turkey’s coming referendum on transferring sweeping powers to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. 

In his rebuke, Erdogan said the Netherlands would “pay the price” and announced a reassessment of Turkey’s relationship with the European Union.

Source: MENA