Erdoğan cites Istanbul airport and bridge projects as his own coalition red line

ISTANBUL

DHA Photo

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has vowed to oppose any coalition talks that pledge to suspend “major projects,” such Istanbul’s under-construction new airport and third bridge.

“Any coalition talks that start with a debate about suspending the major projects of Turkey will be challenged by me before anyone else,” Erdoğan said at a Ramadan fast-breaking iftar meal organized by the All Industrialist and Businessmen’s Association (TÜMSİAD) on July 13.

“They say they would not let the third airport or third bridge be constructed. What kind of mentality is that?” he asked.

Erdoğan also said he “expects and wishes for a new government to be formed as soon as possible.”

While saying negotiations should continue for as long as it takes, he stressed that Turkey needs a government “able to take important decisions and strongly implement them.”

“A coalition formed by conflicting parties will only bring Turkey harm, rather than good,” the president said.

Erdoğan also urged parties to abandon discussions about his controversial, gargantuan presidential palace in Ankara, saying such debates “evade responsibility” and the Turkish people want to hear about parties’ plans for the future, “not the past.”