'Election is 15 months away, we must be on the alert'

* Photo: Özge Elif Kızıl - İstanbul / AA

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President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke at the weekly group meeting of his party today (March 9) and addressed a series of current issues on the domestic and international agenda such as the election and Russia-Ukraine war.

"Considering that less than 15 months are left until the election, we need to use every day wisely," said Erdoğan, referring to the Parliamentary and Presidential elections expected to be held in 2023.

Addressing the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) within the context of the "Memorandum of Understanding on Parliamentary System", which was issued by six opposition parties, President and AKP Chair Erdoğan recalled that the memorandum was signed on February 28, the anniversary of the "postmodern coup" in Turkey, and said:

"Beaten in all 16 elections, the CHP has not made any efforts to improve itself; it has constantly deteriorated.

"This CHP has now formed a February 28 alliance, which it has put on its tail and all names of which it doesn't dare to openly say. It will supposedly win the election with this alliance, change the regime of the country, save our region from crisis and turn it into a land of flowers and insects."

Further in his speech, President Erdoğan addressed the alliance of six opposition parties and expressed "curiosity" about "how the ones who could not decide which table to sit during the negotiations will take fast, effective and resilient steps in such a critical period as this."

Gezi, coup attempt, potato and oil prices...

Accusing the parties of "only making arrangements for coalition", Erdoğan also referred to the Gezi resistance in 2013 and said:

"They were the ones who called for the collapse of the economy during Gezi incidents. They were the ones who stood with putschists and supported the ones who stabbed our democracy in the back. They were the ones who acted as a spokesperson for the imperialists who were rubbing their hands while our country is struggling against terrorist attacks and political trips".

Speaking about the increasing sunflower oil prices amid fears of an imminent shortage as well, Erdoğan argued: "They are also the ones trying to bring dark clouds over the country, yesterday through potatoes and onions, then through pandemic measures, and now through oil."

Russia-Ukraine war

Regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, Erdoğan said, "We will carry on our diplomatic traffic at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on March 11-13. I hope that the meeting where the foreign ministers of Ukraine and Russia meet will crack the door open for a permanent ceasefire tomorrow."

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), President and AKP Chair Erdoğan also "strongly rejected" any moves resembling "a witch-hunt" against people, arts, scholars, or artists from Russia, briefly saying, "Just as we would not abandon Ukraine, we also do not accept actions akin to a witch-hunt against the Russian people, literature, students or artists."

Citing Germany's Munich Philharmonic Orchestra reportedly firing a conductor from Russia over his support for Russia's President Vladimir Putin further in his speech, Erdoğan said that such "fascist practices" cast a shadow over Ukraine's "legitimate struggle" in resisting Russia's troops by fueling a "climate of hatred and grudges and sowing new grievances."

The President also criticized international organizations for "falling short in taking action over war zones, especially the UN Security Council."

On refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, amid reports some African and Asian refugees have been held back, Erdoğan stated that "a mindset that discriminates against the oppressed based on their religion, national origin, or skin color has nothing to do with humanity or civilization."

Ankara never labeled those fleeing war and persecution according to their language, religion, or skin color, he said. (AS/SD)