Main opposition leader suggests referendum for Syrian refugees, Raqqa ops

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has called for a referendum on naturalizing Syrian refugees and Turkey's plans about participating in an offensive on Syria's Raqqa.

"Why are you giving citizenship [to Syrians], on what ground? If they would like, mark my words, let's make a referendum to ask 'whether Syrians should be given citizenship or not,'" Kılıçdaroğlu told his party in parliament on Feb. 28.

"How many Syrians are there in Turkey, is it not certain? The numbers vary. Be sure, the number is not less than 4 million," Kılıçdaroğlu said.

"Let's assume the Syrians came, it is possible, they have fled from war, and I have no objection. But if you accepted them, keep them in camps. There are Syrians in all 81 cities of Turkey. Forget about camps, they open businesses. My tradespeople pay taxes; Syrians do not," he said. 

"Our youth go to Syria and are martyred there. Our children, the children of poor families of Anatolia, go to Syria for Syria and become martyrs. But their youngsters are here in Turkey. How does that happen? Besides, they find a job and work here. Our children are unemployed, they have a job," he added.

"Our citizens are treated like a second class in their own country," he said.

Kılıçdaroğlu also criticized Turkey's plan for participating in an offensive in Raqqa, asking that such a plan also be taken to a referendum.

"Now they are insisting on going to Raqqa. Some people gave them an order, an upper mind, has sent an order. Let's have a referendum about going to Raqqa or not. Let's ask it to the nation. Should my children go to Raqqa or not?" he said.

Stating that Turkey has more immediate problems such as an economic crisis,...