Turkish Deputy PM says 'footsteps of neo-Nazism and extreme racism' being heard in Europe

Numan Kurtulmus defies appeals by European leaders to avoid inflammatory rhetoric after President Erdogan sparks diplomatic row with Germany

Numan Kurtulmus, Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister, claims the country is a victim of negative propaganda (Getty)

Turkish government officials are still participating in events for expatriate Turks across Europe but they are not campaigning for an April 16 referendum, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus has said.

At a roundtable with journalists, Kurtulmus said a row with European countries over the barring of Turkish ministers from addressing rallies had helped Turks in Europe better understand the constitutional changes proposed in the referendum.

Kurtulmus said the "footsteps of neo-Nazism and extreme racism" were being heard in Europe.

European leaders have made repeated calls for Turkish officials to avoid Nazi comparisons after President Tayyip Erdogan likened Germany's ban on several rallies to the Nazi era.

Reuters