WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States said on Thursday it had concerns about Turkey’s ability to hold free and fair elections given the ongoing state of emergency, a day after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called for a snap vote on June 24.
“During a state of emergency, it would be difficult to hold a completely free, fair and transparent election in a manner that’s consistent with … Turkish law and also Turkey’s international obligations,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told a briefing, noting Turkey has been under a state of emergency for nearly two years following a July 2016 coup bid.
“We have concerns about their ability to hold it during this type of state of emergency,” Nauert said.
(Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Writing by David Alexander; Editing by Eric Walsh)
