* Photo: Metin Aktaş / AA-Ankara
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President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the reporters following a Presidential Cabinet meeting in the capital city of Ankara yesterday (June 29).
Touching upon a series of current issues, he has also spoken about the planned changes to the Attorneys' Act, which caused several bar association chairs to march from their provinces to Ankara in protest.
"The poor structures of professional organizations, especially those of the bar associations, might lead to fascistic problems for their members in addition to an injustice in representation," he has said and added that "it is their legal duty to right this wrong by making the necessary preparations."
Expressing their "determination to create a more democratic and pluralistic structure for bar associations," President Erdoğan has said:
"We are dwelling on a multiple administration for bar associations. Our MPs will submit the legislative proposal tomorrow morning (June 30). If god permits, we will put it into practice as soon as possible."
'A very strong recovery period in economy'
Erdoğan has also referred to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, especially within the context of economic indicators.
Stating that many issues, including healthcare, security, industry and export, were discussed in their meeting, he has noted that "Turkey is one of the countries which have most successfully coped with the pandemic."
"Our aim is to reduce both the number of cases and deaths to zero or to a point close to zero. We are determined to take our country away from the risk group," Erdoğan has added further.
As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), President and ruling AKP Chair Erdoğan has also argued that "Turkey is in a very strong recovery period" based on the preliminary economic data for this June.
"Turkey's 4.5 percent growth in the first quarter is the greatest proof of the economy's power and potential," he has said and stressed that Turkey will become one of the world's "star countries" to reshape itself:
"The continuation of the pandemic makes it difficult for us as the country to see ahead of us, too. Nevertheless, the common view at home and abroad is that Turkey will be one of the outstanding countries in the world that will be reshaped after the pandemic."
On measures to help protect the public from the virus fallout, President Erdoğan has also announced that the government has extended a short work allowance benefit by one more month, adding that cash payment support will also continue for another month.
"Our only desire from the public in this process is that they support us by following the rules, taking care of their jobs, production, and protecting their country," Erdoğan has said.
'Come out against any type of perversion'
In his address to the public, has also said:
"While we are making efforts to serve our country with a wide vision, some people are attacking our national and moral values again.
"The ones supporting marginal movements against our belief and culture are partners in the same perversion in our eyes. No wrong damned by the people has the opportunity to take root in this country.
"I am inviting all members of my nation to watch out for and come out against the ones who display any type of perversion forbidden by our god.
"Turkey has the strength to combat the traps targeting its security and economy as well as the ones attacking its national structure."
What did Erdoğan say before coming to power?
Considering that it is the Pride Month, the above remarks of President and AKP Chair Erdoğan have been interpreted as targeting the LGBTI+ community in the country, which has faced a new wave of violence and discrimination especially after the Friday sermon of the Presidency of Religious Affairs targeting the LGBTI+ as well as HIV positive people.
However, when a speech made by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan before the general elections in 2002, which paved his way for power, is considered, it is seen that Erdoğan seems to have taken a rather different stance towards the LGBTI+ back then than his current attitude today:
Erdoğan attended a program named "Young Vision" (Genç Bakış) aired on Kanal D TV channel before the 2002 elections.
A student asked Erdoğan, "As we know, we have homosexual citizens. Are you thinking of granting our homosexual citizens the rights that they are entitled in Europe, such as the right to marry. Why do you think about it personally? Should homosexuals be granted rights or not?"
Erdoğan answered in following words: "It is a must that homosexuals are also legally guaranteed within the frame of their own rights and freedoms. Seeing the treatment that they face on television screens from time to time, we do not find such treatments humane." (EKN/SD)
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