France recalls ambassador to Turkey following Erdogan’s comments on Macron

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – French President Emmanuel Macron has recalled France’s ambassador to Turkey in response to public statements by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Sunday that Mr. Macron needs treatment for a mental health problem, Fox News reported Monday.

Erdogan’s comments were motivated by President Macron’s efforts to crack down on Islamic terrorism following the October 16 beheading of teacher Samuel Paty by a Muslim extremist.

In the aftermath of Paty’s brutal murder, Macron said Islam was in a worldwide “crisis” and that he would work to ensure both France and Muslims were protected from extremists. Mr. Macron stated he wants to “defend the republic and its values and ensure it respects its promise of equality and emancipation,” the Independent reports.

Speaking at a recent meeting of his Justice and Development Party in the city of Kayseri, Erdogan had asked rhetorically: “What is the problem of this person called Macron with Islam and Muslims?”

“Macron needs treatment on a mental level,” Erdogan continued. “What else can be said to a head of state who does not understand freedom of belief and who behaves in this way to millions of people living in his country who are members of a different faith?”

As the announcement came that the French ambassador would be recalled from Turkey to consult with Mr. Macron, French officials explained in a statement: “President Erdogan’s comments are unacceptable. Excess and rudeness are not a method. We demand that Erdogan change the course of his policy because it is dangerous in every respect.” Mr. Macron’s office pointed out that Turkey did not offer its condolences following the brutal slaughter of Paty in response to the teacher having shown cartoons of Mohamed in class, Fox News said.

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