Separately, Zafer Sirakaya, president of the pro-Erdogan group that organized the rallies, said the events were cancelled for security reasons. German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel told the Bild daily that with the electoral rallies scrapped "Turkish voters will be able to make their consideration in a calmer atmosphere". Ankara reacted with fury, with Erdogan accusing Germany and The Netherlands of "Nazi" practices, sparking uproar in Europe. "This Europe, like before World War II, is a racist, fascist, cruel Europe... An anti-Islam and anti-Turkish Europe," Erdogan said in his latest onslaught against the European Union. As the diplomatic row escalated, Turkey summoned the German ambassador in Ankara on Tuesday following remarks by his country's intelligence chief Bruno Kahl.

Source: The Local March 22, 2017 08:26 UTC