Ankara's firm response to Charlie Hebdo's anti-Erdoğan caricature: Reinforcing our confidence in the right path

In its latest issue, the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo depicted caricatures of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, which has caused controversy and sparked debate.

Charlie Hebdo is a publication known for its provocative and irreverent content, often taking aim at political figures and religious symbols, and its latest depiction of Erdoğan has been met with mixed reactions from various individuals and groups.

The latest issue of the magazine features a satirical cartoon of President Erdoğan in a bathtub, with references to French singer Claude François' death by electrocution while taking a bath.

The cartoon was accompanied by the statement "Comme Cloclo, on a tous une chance de mourir sous sa douche" (Like Cloclo, we all have a chance of dying in the shower), which has been perceived by some as a derogatory reference to the death of French singer Claude François and has further fueled the controversy surrounding the magazine's latest publication.

Next to the drawing, a statement reading "Similar to Cloclo, only destiny can rescue us from him" was written.

Before the first round of the May 14 elections in Türkiye, the Western media also published anti-Erdoğan articles to maintain a smear campaign and manipulate the preferences of Turkish voters.

Charlie Hebdo's provocative post on social media generated a plethora of reactions. Twitter users expressed their views, stating that the magazine's publication might inadvertently bolster President Erdoğan, gaining support from the Turkish people instead of weakening his position.

"I strongly condemn Charlie Hebdo's targeting of our President and the will of the Turkish nation under the guise of freedom of expression," Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Twitter.

Erdoğan's success disturbed them, Oktay said, adding: "Our beloved nation will give the necessary answer to this mentality once again on 28 May."

Turkish Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop said everyone knows that Charlie Hebdo is famous for its hostility against Islam.

"There's no need to take it too seriously. We must leave this rabid mentality to its own disease," he said on Twitter.

Presidential Spokesperson Ibrahim Kalın responded to the Charlie Hebdo publication by saying, "Given how extreme Charlie Hebdo has become... it only reinforces our conviction that we are on the right path. Sometimes, evil acts as a guide for what is good."

Kalın referred to the upcoming second round of elections and expressed his belief that the Turkish people would respond to Charlie Hebdo's publication with an even stronger voice on May 28th.

Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun condemned Charlie Hebdo's latest publication, stating, "Once again, the repugnant publication Charlie Hebdo, known for its provocative and offensive content, has demonstrated its true nature to the world with its latest morally bankrupt and inhumane caricature targeting our President."

Altun noted that President Erdogan's resounding success in the May 14th elections may have caused discomfort in certain circles and called out Charlie Hebdo and its affiliates, stating, "No matter what you do, you cannot intimidate Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. You cannot divert us from our chosen path." He expressed his disapproval of the publication.

Altun highlighted that this situation epitomizes the sheer desperation of Charlie Hebdo.

Justice and Development (AK) Party spokesman Ömer Çelik said that the magazine called Charlie Hebdo is a "hate crimes journal."

"The fact that all these hate groups target our President is the product of their fascist mentality. Our nation continues to teach democracy lessons to all of them. Our nation has once again demonstrated its commitment to democratic values to the whole world," Çelik said on Twitter.

He added that the Turkish nation has shown its respect for democracy on every occasion, saying: "We leave the fascists of Europe to their own hatred."

Millions of voters went to the polls on May 14 to elect the country's president and members of its 600-seat parliament.

Erdoğan's People's Alliance won a majority in parliament, while the presidential race is headed to a second-round runoff on May 28, though Erdoğan took the lead in round one.

Erdoğan and his closest competitor Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and joint candidate for the six-party opposition Nation Alliance, will face off in round two.

In years past, Charlie Hebdo has attracted controversy and condemnation for printing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad as well earlier this year making light of Türkiye's Feb. 6 earthquakes, which killed over 50,000 people.