Italy’s ambassador called in on the carpet in Turkey

The Turkish government is protesting after Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi compared the Turkish leadership to dictators in the wake of the “sofagate”.

The protest was conveyed on Thursday to Italy’s ambassador to Turkey, who was summoned to the carpet at the Foreign Ministry in Ankara.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Draghi had sharply criticized Turkey’s treatment of EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. She did not get a seat when she and EU President Charles Michel met Erdogan earlier this week.

“I am very sorry for the humiliation to which the President of the Commission was subjected by these – let’s call them what they are – dictators,” Draghi said.

Tyria reacted quickly, and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu called Draghi’s statement ugly and unreasonable.

The situation during the meeting between the EU leaders and Erdogan is referred to as a “sofa street” since von der Leyen sat on a sofa. Turkey denies all responsibility for the incident and claims the seats in the meeting room were in line with a proposal from the EU.

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