Turkish President insists on public rallies despite opposition’s criticisms

“I am expressing and will continue to express my opinions about the future of my country and my people at every election term. I am sharing my views with my people either through inauguration ceremonies in different cities or through other events I join. [I do not speak] in favor of a specific political party, but I say what I am thinking for all of Turkey, for my people,” he said in his address to Turkey’s Union of Agriculture Chambers May 8. 

Erdoğan’s statement came after all three opposition parties strongly slammed the president for violating the constitution and laws that oblige him to remain impartial and at an equal distance from all political parties. The opposition had appealed to the Supreme Election Board (YSK) to intervene in Erdoğan’s public rallies but they were rejected. 

Reiterating the significance of the June 7 elections for Turkey’s 2023 targets, Erdoğan said, “It should not be thought that I would be forgotten about in this process as a president elected through popular vote.”   

The upcoming term is crucial for building the new Turkey and the adoption of a presidential system is very much important to this end, Erdoğan said. “The new constitution has become a must for our country. The parliamentary system is already outdated after the people directly elected its president. No one should be disturbed of my opinions because I am not saying this for myself but for my people, for the future of my country,” he said. 

“At the end of the day, no one knows who will be alive and who will be dead when Turkey adopts the presidential system. Only God knows who will be the head of the nation. But this decision [on the presidential system] will be made by you. My responsibility today is to let these things come to the agenda and be discussed for the future of my country,” he added.