Double standard against Turkey discussed live on German TV show

"Hart aber FAIR," a political talk show on German state broadcaster ARD, discussed on Monday the German government and different political parties' stance regarding Turkey. German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière, Greens Co-Chair Cem Özdemir, Monheim am Rhein Mayor Daniel Zimmermann, journalist Düzen Tekkal and Union of European Turkish Democrats (UETD) Vice Chair Fatih Zingal attended the program moderated by Frank Plasberg. Topics headlining the TV discussion included the recent political developments in Germany, Turkey's upcoming referendum, European bans on rallies to be attended by Turkish ministers and Turkey's fury against the double standards of European countries.

Replying to questions regarding Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's comments, comparing the German ban on Turkish rallies as "Nazi remnants," UETD Vice Chairman Zingal said there were similar well-known incidents in Germany and gave examples of Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble and Green Deputy Jürgen Trittin.

"Comparisons to the Nazis are hardly deescalating, yet similar comparisons were made by German politicians. Trittin compared Erdoğan to the Nazis and Schäuble compared Putin to them," said Zingal.

"The vice chairman of the FDP, also used the Nazis as a reference for comparison," he added.

Zingal's reply, left De Maizière and Özdemir seemingly outraged, as the interior minister asked Zingal to "leave these accusations be."

However, Zingal's claims were confirmed later in the program by the producers.

Regarding the bans on Turkish ministers, Zingal pointed out that Tuğba Hezer Öztürk, a pro-PKK HDP deputy, who had participated in PKK-terrorists' funerals, was allowed to hold a "no" campaign in Germany, with the "support of the Lefts."

"Why did the German government not ban this? Why can people, who heroize suicide bombers and attend their funerals, campaign in Germany but the Turkish ministers cannot? Why are these terror supporters praised?" he asked. But, Zingal's question went unanswered.

He also pointed out that the Green Party co-chief had campaigned for the pro-PKK HDP in Ludwigsburg in 2015.

"Next to the stage were flags carrying the PKK's insignia and its leader Öcalan's pictures. Everyone is aware of the fact that the HDP glorifies the PKK," said Zingal.

"The chairman of the HDP, Selahattin Demirtaş, even said he was going to build a statue of Öcalan. Just imagine a German politician talking about building a statue of Osama bin Laden or a German politician participating in a demonstration and praising the perpetrator of the Berlin attacks, Anis Amri," the UETD chair said.