Frustration over Brussels risks pushing Turkey into a referendum

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has hinted at holding a national referendum over Ankara’s accession to the EU.

Speaking to a leading Turkish newspaper Hurriyet Daily he said: “The European Union is trying to compel us to withdraw from this [accession] process. If they don’t want us they should be clear about this, they should make a decision.”

“Our patience is not endless. If need be, later, we could also consult our people,” he added, alluding to the UK’s Brexit referendum in June.

Turkey’s bid to join the EU dates back to the 1960s with formal talks starting in 2005. But the process has been mired in problems, which current tensions have done nothing to help.

Rocky relations between Ankara and the EU became even more strained in the wake of the failed coup in Turkey in July.